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MISSOURI 




(Kirkwood □ No. 484.) 



Christian Publishing Company. 



>> i nHIIII^Ht'*MMUIHMI» ^lUMH I H 



****? 



COPYRIGHT, 1882 W. C BRAGG 



PREFACE. 



In his report to the Grand Lodge, in 
1878, Grand Master Ready said : 

"A careful examination of our laws, and a comparison 
of the several constitutional enactments, decisions and 
resolutions will most conclusively demonstrate the fact 
that cur Constitutions need to be revised, and I trust 
so soon as our monetary affairs will warrant the expen- 
diture, a thorough revision may he made. Our laws are 
voluminous enough; we need no more. It would be 
well if we would stand still until we have thoroughly 
studied and digested the laws we now have, before we 
undertake to enact any more. 

The great trouble, however, is to get the craft to read 
and study the law. In the language of one of my dis- 
tinguished predecessoi-3, 'If the Brethren would read 
more and ask fewer questions, all would be well.' " 

The preparation of this revision or di- 
gest was brought about from these re- 
marks. The manuscript was submitted 
to the Grand Lodge, at its meeting in 
1880, through the Committee on Juris- 
prudence, and was approved and recom- 
mended for publication. 

The work is believed to be complete 
and correct, and it is claimed that its ar- 
rangement of matter will commend it to 
every searcher of the Law and render it 
pleasant and profitable to read. 

W. C. Bragg. 



Masonic Law of Missouri 



Absence. 

See Grand Lodge officers 2. 3, 

Accused and Accusers. 

See Trials. 

Acquittal. 

See Dues 7. 
Trials 63. 

Admission to Lodges. 

See Trials 24. 

Advancement. 

See E. A. and F. C. 

Objections. 



Affiliation. 

See By-Laws 8. 

Clandestine Masons 6. 
E. A. and F. C. 6. 
Fees 4. 5. 
Jurisdiction 17. 
Pet. for Aff. 

Amendments. 

Of By-Laws, see By-Laws 2. 
Of verdicts, see Trials 62. 

Ante -Rooms. 

The ante-rooms of a masonic hall 
shall not be rented to any one as offices, 
but must be held for the exclusive use of 
the Lodge. 1878. 

Appeals. 

See Restoration 1. 
Trials 65 to 67. 
Status 3. 

Applications. 

See Petitions ; Dimits ; Dues. 

Appointment of Officers. 

See Jurisdiction 1. 
Worsh. Mast. 14. 



9 

Approval of Minutes. 

See Minutes. 

Apron. 
See Clothing i. 

Argument of Counsel. 

See Trials 49. 

Army-Made Masons. 
See Clandestine Masons. 

Arrest of Charter. 

See Grand Mast. 1. 
Lodges 2. 3. 

Assessments. 

See Dues 3. 

Ballots. 

1 . All petitions must be balloted upon, 
whether the committee report favorably 
or unfavorably upon them. 1869. 

See Pet. for Mys. 3. 13. 
Pet. for Aff . 7 to 10. 

2 . No brother has the right to disclose 
how he intends to vote, nor say anything 
either in favor of, or against, the peti- 
tioner after the ballot has been ordered. 

1871. Art. xvi, §14. 



IO 



3. When more than one black ball ap- 
pears in first ballot, a second ballot can- 
not be taken. 1878. Art. xvi, §14. 

4. A black ball appearing in both the 
first and second ballot, works the rejection 
of the candidate . A third ballot cannot be 
taken. 1878. Art. xvi, §14. 

5. A motion to reconsider the ballot 
after two ballotings for a candidate — one 
black ball appearing each time — is illegal 
and cannot be entertained. A third ballot 
and an election thereon is null and void : 
the candidate stands rejected. 1878. 

6. The Master may postpone the ballot 
in any case when justice to the petitioner, 
to the Lodge, or to Masonry in general, 
seems in his judgment to demand a delay 
of action. 1872. 

7. A written request from a member 
unavoidably absent to defer the ballot on a 
petition for affiliation should be complied 
with. 1875. 

8. A Lodge voted on a petition for the 
Mysteries, and one black ball appeared ; 
a second ballot was ordered, with the 
same result. On investigation it was 
found that the members outnumbered by 
one the white balls in the box. The 
Master solved the difficulty by producing 
another white ball, and ordering a third 



ballot, which resulted in the election of 
the candidate : 

Decided, The first two ballots irreg- 
ular, and the third ballot, in this excep- 
tional case, valid. 1872. 

8 a. It is not in order for the Wor- 
shipful Master to entertain a motion to 
reconsider the ballot or vote of his Lodge 
by which any proposition was carried or 
defeated at a former meeting. 1879. 

See Trials 62 a. 

9. When a ballot is announced unfa- 
vorable with only one black-ball, and be- 
fore the second ballot is commenced, a 
member retires from the Lodge (knowing 
the second ballot is ordered ) , and the sec- 
ond ballot results favorably, the candi- 
date shall be declared elected. 1871. 

10. In a case wherein the Master of a 
Lodge ordered a second ballot on a can- 
didate, and, after the members had com- 
menced voting, suspended the ballot, the 
act was declared illegal and the candi- 
date stood rejected. 1876. 

11. Neither a Lodge, a Master, the 
Grand Master or the Grand Lodge has 
power to set aside the ballot by which a 
candidate for the Mysteries is declared 
rejected. *874- Art. xvi., §14. 



ii a. When taking a ballot for the de- 
grees or membership there should be as 
many of each kind of ballot balls, white 
and black, in the ballot-box, before the 
ballot is taken, as there are members of 
the Lodge present. 1880. 

12. A brother who black-balls an En- 
tered Apprentice or Fellow Craft cannot 
be required to prefer charges against the 
candidate. The Lodge has no right to 
know who cast the black ball. 1874. 

See Jurisdiction 15. 
Non-Aff. 1. 

13. Blank ballots at the election of of- 
ficers in Subordinate Lodges must be 
counted. 

Blank paper ballots at trials must not 
be counted. 1872. 

See Restoration 2.8. 
Trials 49 to 54. 

Balls. 

See Ballots. 

Begging 

See Charity. 



13- 



Blanks. 

See Ballots 13. 
Lodge Off. 5. 
Trials 54. 55. 

Board of Relief. 

1 . In any town or city where there is 
more than one Lodge, it shall be the du- 
ty of each Lodge to appoint one or more 
members to constitute a Board of Relief, 
to whom all applicants for charity shall 
be referred, and, if found worthy, re- 
lieved ; they shall adopt rules for their 
government, so that the worthy shall not 
go away empty-handed, and the unworthy 
eat the bread of the toiling Craftsmen ; to 
the carrying out of which each Lodge in 
such town 'or city shall contribute five 
dollars from each initiation fee to the 
aforesaid Board of Relief. I ^54. 

2. Each Lodge shall appoint its own 
representatives in the Board of Relief, 
accredit them under the seal of the Lodge, 
and remove them at pleasure ; -provided \ 
that no Lodge shall have more represent- 
atives in the Board than any other Lodge ; 
and the Board is required to receive the 
representatives so accredited. 1863. 

3. The St. Louis Board of Relief giv- 
en charge of the burial lot of the Grand 



Lodge in Belief ontaine Cemetery. 1867. 

Burial. 

See Funerals 1.5. 

E. A. andF. C. 1. 
Non-Aff. 6. 

Business* 

See Work 1. 

Processions 2. 

By-Laws. 

1. It is the indefeasible right of a 
Lodge to make By-Laws, and they are 
valid until reversed by the Grand Lodge ; 
■provided, they are not if so facto contra- 
ry to existing laws of the Grand Lodge. 

1869. Art. xvi., §1. 
See Dues 2. 

2. The By-Laws of a Lodge are sub- 
ject to revision and change at any time 
in conformity to the law regulating their 
alteration or amendment. 1878. 

3. Or, in the absence of any provis- 
ion to the contrary, by a majority vote. 

1874. 

4. In proceedings to alter By-Laws 
changing the annual Lodge dues : The 
original motion was to decrease the dues 



i5 



one-half. At the meeting set apart for 
action a compromise substitute was of- 
fered, decreasing the dues one-third. 

The substitute being germane to the 
question, and neither exceeding the orig- 
inal sum nor decreasing the sum named 
in the proposed amendment, did not con- 
stitute a new question and could be acted 
upon without further delay. 1878. 

5 . A Lodge can adopt a By-Law rais- 
ing its scale of dues without first obtain- 
ing the approval of the Grand Lodge. 

1869. Art. xvi., §1. 

6. A By-Law which prohibits mem- 
bers in arrears for dues from voting or 
holding office, without judgment by trial, 
is null and void. 

7. So is one which suspends a mem- 
ber, after a certain time, for non-payment 
of dues,without a trial. 1869. 

8. So one which places a restraint on 
affiliation to a limit of time. 1872. 

9. A Lodge cannot, by changing its 
By-Laws, and fixing the time of election 
different, thus legislate the installed offi- 
cers out of office before the expiration of 
the 3^ear for which they were elected and 
installed. ^73 • 

See Lodge Off. 2. 3. 11. 



i6 



10. A member is held amenable to 
the By-Laws whether he signs them or 
not. He cannot be compelled to sign 
them. 1871. 

11. New Lodges urged to adopt the 
code of By-Laws for the government of 
Subordinate Lodges recommended by 
the Grand Lodge. 1872. 

See Lodges. 

Called Meetings. 

See Trials 34. 
Work 9 

Candidates. 

See Jurisdiction 5 to 17. 
Objections. 
Pet. for Mys. 

Celebrations. 

See Processions 

Certificates. 

Widows', see Widows 2. 
Of Elections, Dist. Lect. 1. 
Of Waiver of Jurisdiction, Jurisdic- 
tion 16. 17. 

Of Proficiency, Lodges U. D. 3. 
Of Good Standing, Pet. for Aff. 4. 



i7 

Change of Venue. 

See Trials 9. 

Charges. 

See Dimits 3. 5. 6. 11. 11 a. 12. 14. 
Pet. for Aff. 9. 10. 11. 

Status 2. 

Trials 6. 7. 17 to 21. 24. 25. 33. 

Charity. 

1. No Mason shall collect private 
subscriptions to be appropriated as Ma- 
sonic charity unless directed by the 
Grand, or a Subordinate Lodge. 1847. 

Charter. 

See D. D. G. M. 6. 

Funerals 3. Status 6. 

Gr. Mast. 1. Visitation 4. 

Lodges 2. 4. 5. Work 1. 

Clandestine Masons. 

1. Dispensations cannot be issued to 
allow persons connected with the army to 
receive the degrees in a shorter time than 
that fixed by the law. 1869. 

2: All persons who have been Initi- 
ated, Passed or Raised in Army or Trav- 
eling Lodges (during the late civil war), 



i8 



shall be regarded and treated as illegal 
or clandestine Masons. 1865. 

3. If they desire future Masonic in- 
tercourse, they should petition the nearest 
regular Lodge under whose jurisdiction 
they are residing, and obtain a legitimate 
interest, if found worthy, in our rights, 
lights and benefits. 1865. 

4. In conferring degrees on army- 
made Masons, it is proper to collect fees 
before balloting. ^7^- 

5. Lodges have permission to remit 
to such candidates such part of the fees 
as they may have paid to such Military 
Lodges. 1865. 

6. An army-made Mason who has 
subsequently affiliated with a regular 
Lodge before applying in this jurisdic- 
tion, and presents his dimit from such 
regular Lodge, shall be deemed a regular 
Mason. 1869. 

Closing Lodge. 

See Work 8. 9. 

Clothing. 

1. The form of apron adopted by the 
Grand Lodge is the square apron with 
triangular flap on which an All-Seeing 



x 9 



Eye may be placed ; the apron to be 
bound with blue. 1858. 

2. All Masons are hereby absolutely 
prohibited from appearing in public 
drinking saloons in their Masonic cloth- 
ing, and any Mason thus offending shall 
be disciplined by the Lodge in whose ju- 
risdiction he may reside. 1867. 

See Funerals. 5. 

Committees. 

Com. on Grievance. See Gr. L. 3. 

on Credentials. Gr. L. Off. 3. 

to take testimony. Trials 46. 

appointments of. Worsh. M. 18. 

Committee of Investigation. 

1 . At least one of the members of ev- 
ery investigating committee should have 
a personal interview with the petitioner, 
before the committee make their report. 
This would relieve them of any doubt or 
uncertainty as to their duty to the Lodge, 
and prevent such unpleasant consquen- 
ces as sometimes occur after the petition- 
er is elected to receive the first degree. 

1871. 

2. The Committee should put a peti- 
tioner for the Mysteries on trial for his 



20 



whole previous life, and their report and 
the action of the Lodge thereon should be 
final for past acts except when the candi- 
date has fraudulently withheld matters 
that would, if known, have caused his re- 
jection. 1870. 

3. They should make a definite re- 
port : if they cannot satisfy themselves 
after due inquiry they should give the 
Lodge the benefit of the doubt in their 
minds in a report, that the members may 
govern themselves accordingly. 1872. 

4. They may either make a simple re- 
port — * * favorable " or ' ' unfavorable ' ' — 
or they may state in their report what 
they have been able to learn about the 
petitioner. If they fail to do this, the 
Master or any of the brethren may ask 
them what they have learned, and it is 
within the province of the committee to 
state to the Lodge such facts as they may 
have gleaned. 1871. 

See Objections 7. 

5. The Committee must report by at 
least a majority of its members, although 
all should report if possible. 1871. 

6. A ballot cannot be had on a peti- 
tion for initiation or membership until a 
majority of the committee have reported. 

1874. 



7. Any substitution of other members 
on a committee of investigation with a 
view to receiving an immediate report, 
makes a new committee, and a report can- 
not be received under one month from 
the date of appointment. 1875 • 

8. Any action with a view to the re- 
ception of a majority report of a commit- 
tee of investigation in preference to a mi- 
nority report, or vice versa, is unmasonic. 

See E. A. and F. C. 6. 
Pet. for Mys. 9 to 13. 
Pet. for Aff . 6 to 9. 12. 13. 
Restoration 3. 

Consecration. 

See Halls 1. 

Consent. 

On waiver of Juris. 
See Jurisdiction 4. 12. 

Constructive Service. 

See Trials 23. 

Continuance. 

See Trials 31 to 36. 



Control of Lodge. 

See Funerals 2. 

Copy of Charges. 

See Trials 25. 26. 

Corner Stones. 

SeeD. D. G. M. 4. 

Correction of Minutes. 

See Minutes 1. 

Counsel. 

See Trials 24. 25. 36. 40. 

Credentials. 

Com. on. 
See Gr. L. 2. 

Dates. 

See Dimits 8. 

Dead Lodges. 

See Dimits 16. 17. 

Debts. 

See Lodges 13. 

Deceased Masons. 

See Funerals. 





23 


Decisions. 


See Gr. L. 4. 
Gr. Mast. 
Trials 70. 


3-4- 

7i. 


Dedications. 


See Halls 1. 




Definite Suspension* 


See Trials 58. 


59- 



Degrees. 

Conferred for other Lodges. 

See Juris. 5 to 7. 
Non-Aff. 9. 
Conferred by other Lodges. 

Juris. 8 to 12. 
See also : Dispensations 2. 
Petitions for Mys. 20. 
Work 4 to 9. 

Demand of Trial. 
See Dimits 13. 

Dimission, c't'f . of. 

See Pet. for Aff . 4. 

Dimits. 

1 . Applications for Dimits must be in 



2 4 



writing, setting forth the reasons for the 
same under the law. 1870. 

2. None of the appointed officers of 
a Lodge, they having been duly installed, 
can be dimitted during their terms of of- 
fice. 1871. 

See Dispensations 1. 
Lodge Off. 8. 9. 
Grand Lodge Off. 5. 

3. When a Lodge is put under charges 
by a member, neither he nor any of the 
members can dimit until the charges are 
withdrawn, or the members acquitted. 

1873; 

4. A Master Mason in good standing 
is entitled to a dimit, upon proper appli- 
cation, for the purpose of joining another 
Lodge, either in the State or out of it, 
the place of his residence having nothing 
to do with his Masonic rights or privi- 
leges, or the location of his Masonic 
home. Art. xvi., §25. 1872. 

5. A member applying for a dimit, 
and complying with all the conditions of 
the law, cannot be refused, unless he be 
under charges, in which case he must 
have a speedy trial, and, if acquitted, the 
dimit must be immediately granted. 

Art. xvi., §25, 187 1. 
See post 12. 



25 



6. No Lodge shall grant a dimit and 
recommendation to any brother who is 
under charges. 1870. 

See Trials 64. 

7 . Dimits cannot be granted at special 
meetings. Art. xvi., §10. 1869. 

8. The records of the Lodge must 
show when its members are dimitted and 
the dimit dates from the time it is order- 
ed to be entered of record, at which time 
the rights and privileges of membership 
immediately cease. The dimitted mem- 
ber cannot, by failure to ask for the cer- 
tificate of dimission, be continued as a 
member : membership can only be re- 
gained by regular petition. 

Art. xvi., §26. 1877. 

9. A Lodge granting a dimit to a 
member can only exact dues up to the 
time of dimission : and if a member has 
paid his dues in advance, the amount ex- 
ceeding his dues to date must be refund- 
ed, if demanded. 1878. 

10. No application for a dimit can be 
entertained until all dues are paid or re- 
mitted. 1871. 

11. When a member has in an offi- 
cial capacity become indebted to the 
Lodge, it is lawful for the Lodge to with- 
hold his dimit, though his dues are paid, 



26 



until such indebtedness is settled satis- 
factorily to the Lodge, through charges 
and trial, or otherwise. 1877. 

11 a. If a member presents his petition 
for dimit, and charges are at once pre- 
ferred against him, and on trial he is 
found guilty and suspended for a definite 
time, at the expiration of his term of sus- 
pension, if he still wishes a dimit, he 
must present a new petition therefor. 

1879. 

12. Objections to granting a dimit 
must be sustained by charges. 187 1. 

13. A Lodge may grant a certificate 
of dismission by a unanimous vote, to its 
E. A. or F. C, if there are no charges 
against them, which is equivalent to a di- 
mit and waiver of jurisdiction. If re- 
fused, the brother cannot demand a trial. 

1871. 1875. 1877. 

14. An Entered Apprentice or Fel- 
low Craft, moving from the jurisdiction, 
is entitled to a certificate of dismission 
and good standing, if there are no charges 
against him. 1870. 

See E. A. and F. C. 2. 5. 6. 
Jurisdiction 17. 

15. When a dimit is granted by the 
Lodge, and the applicant fails to take his 
certificate of dimit, he can only be re- 



27 

stored to membership in the same man- 
ner as other non-affiliates. 1869. 
See Pet. for Affiliation 3. a. 

16. Members of any Lodges which 
have surrendered their charters, or have 
been I otherwise dissolved by act of the 
Grand Lodge, shall, on producing to the 
Grand Secretary satisfactory proof of 
their having paid up all dues thereto, and 
of their good standing with said Lodge, 
be entitled to a certificate thereof ; and 
the Grand Secretary is authorized to 
grant such certificate, under the seal of 
this Grand Lodge. 1826. 

16 a. When a Lodge surrenders its 
charter, having previously liquidated all 
its indebtedness, upon application, by or- 
der of the Grand Master, the Grand Sec- 
retary shall issue dimits to the members 
of the Lodge without waiting for the next 
session of the Grand Lodge. I 879. 

1 7 . Members of a defunct Lodge fail- 
ing to apply for Grand Lodge Dimits 
within one year after the session of the 
Grand Lodge confirming the surrender 
or arrest of its charter, become non-affil- 
iates, and occupy the same position as 
dimitted Master Masons who have neg- 
lected to affiliate with some Lodge with- 
in one year after the date of their dimits. 

1878. 



28 



i8. The following form of dimit shall 
be furnished to all Lodges and no other 
form shall be used for said purpose . 

Hall of Lodge No. , } 

A. F. and A. M. State of Missouri. $ 

This is to certify that Bro. , 

a member of this Lodge, has applied in 
writing for a Dimit for the purpose of 
, and that he being clear of all charg- 
es on the books of this Lodge, and be- 
ing in good Masonic standing, this Dimit 
is hereby granted, and he is recommend- 
ed to the fraternal regards of all regular 
Masons so long as he shall comply with 
the conditions endorsed hereon, as or- 
dered by the Grand Lodge of Missouri, 
October, 1870 ; otherwise this Dimit to 
be null and void, except to present it for 
affiliation. 

The signature of the bearer is written 
on the margin hereof. 

Given by order of the Lodge, this 

day of , 18 — , at , Missouri. 

[seal.] Attest: , Sec'y. 

With the following endorsement : 

Article xvi. Grand Lodge By-laws. 

Sec 25. No Lodge shall grant a di- 
mit to any of its members until all dues 
are paid, nor then unless the brother de- 



2 9 

clares that he is about to move out of the 
jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge, or to 
join another Lodge, or assist in forming a 
new Lodge. 

Sec. 27. No Lodge shall permit a 
non-affiliating Mason (who has continued 
as such for twelve months) to visit more 
than three times, nor shall such non-affil- 
iated Mason be allowed to appear in any 
Masonic procession, or be entitled to Ma- 
sonic charity, nor shall he have Masonic 
burial ; and if he still remain non-affili- 
ated, "He shall be deemed a drone in 
the hive of nature, a useless member of 
society, and unworthy our protection as 
Masons." 

The bearer of this dimit has asked for 
it on the conditions of its face, and un- 
der the law, and if he remain within the 
jurisdiction of Missouri, or return to it 
after having left the jurisdiction, and do 
not affiliate within twelve months from 
date of dimit, then all the Masonic bene- 
fits conferred by the dimit are null and 
void, and the bearer hereof not entitled 
to any Masonic consideration so long as 
he remains un-affiliated. 

See Dues 2. 
Lodges 2. 
Lodges U. D. 2.6. 



3° 



Pet. for Aff. 5. a. 
Trials 16. 

Diploma. 
See Pet. for Aff. 3. 

Dispensations. 

1. It is the law of this Grand Lodge 
that the officers of a Lodge can nei- 
ther resign nor dimit ; therefore the 
Grand Master cannot grant a special Dis- 
pensation to elect a Worshipful Master, 
though the Worshipful Master of the 
Lodge has removed from the State, and 
the interest of the Lodge may seem to re- 
quire it. J 879. 

2. The Grand Master cannot grant 
special Dispensation to a Lodge, author- 
izing it to confer two or more degrees on 
a candidate at the same communication. 
The law expressly states that " no candi- 
date shall receive more than one degree 
at the same communication, nor then un- 
less he has passed a satisfactory exami- 
nation in open Lodge on the degree he 
has already taken." It also provides 
that the Grand Master shall have no 
power to suspend any By-law of the 
Grand Lodge. This very wisely and 
effectually prevents " emergencies " in 
this State. 

See Gr. M. 1. 
Halls I. 



3i 

Ins. of Off. i. 

Lodges 3. 5. 

Lodges U. D. 1 to 5. 

Processions 1. 
For shortening Time. 
See Cland. M. 1. 
For New Lodge. 
SeeD. D. G. M. 6. 

District Deputy Grand Master. 

The law regulating the office of Dis- 
trict Deputy Grand Master requires the 
Brother appointed to such office to be a 
present or Past Master of this jurisdic- 
tion. While residence in the district is 
necessary, Lodge membership therein is 
not required. If, after appointment to 
his office, the District Deputy Grand 
Master dimits for the purpose of gaining 
Lodge membership in his district, it is 
not necessary that he should be re-com- 
missioned after such object is attained. 
Should he remain non-affiliated from any 
cause, he cannot hold the office, and his 
successor must be appointed ; nor can he 
exercise the duties of the office of Dis- 
trict Deputy Grand Master while dimitted. 
Art. vii., §2. 1877. 

2. With his dimit in his possession he 
is no longer a member of the Grand 
Lodge. If he wishes to dimit from his 



32 



Lodge, he should first resign his office as 
District Deputy Grand Master, in order 
that his successor may be appointed, and 
the Craft in the district not left without a 
supervising officer. 187 1. 

2. a. A Lodge can suspend a member 
for non-payment of dues, while he holds 
a commission as District Deputy Grand 
Master. 1S80. 

3. A Dist. Dep. Grand Master can- 
not delegate his authority to another dur- 
ing his absence from the district. The 
authority to preside over a Lodge of In- 
struction called by him is vested in him 
alone. *874. 

See Worsh. Mast. 9. 

4. There is no membership in a "spe- 
cific" Grand Lodge, i. e., a Lodge called 
by a D. D. G. M. to lay corner-stones, 
dedicate halls, etc., than that of Master 
Masons in good standing, and the D. D. 
G. M. has the power to order out any 
disturbing element, either the one object- 
ed to, or the objector, or both. 1873. 

5 . District Deputy Grand Masters are 
required to report to the Grand Lodge 
the condition of the various halls in their 
respective districts, as to their safety and 
security ; and to urge upon all Lodges in 
their districts, not otherwise provided, 



33 



the securement of all necessary Lodge 
furniture and equipments for rendering 
our ceremonies impressive and instruct- 
ive ; and to report to the Grand Lodge 
at each session, the condition of said 
Lodges, in all these particulars. 

Art. vii., §7. 1872. 

6. When a D. D. G. Master receives 
a Dispensation or Charter for a new 
Lodge, it is his duty to at once inform 
such Lodge of the fact, and to open a 
correspondence with the proper party as 
to the most convenient time to set them 
to work. 1872. 

See. Gr. Mast. 6. 
Jurisdiction 1. 

District Lecturers, 

1. The D. D. Grand Master shall re=> 
ceive and cast up the vote given by each 
Lodge at the election for District Lectur- 
er, and grant a certificate of election to 
the brother having received the largest 
vote of the Lodges making returns to him 
on or before the 10th of December ensu- 
ing the election. 1870. 

2. The intent of this resolution was 
not to create a vacancy in the office in 
districts already supplied with lecturers, 
but to fill the offices in all the districts as 
soon as possible, and not to displace those 



34 

already filled, provided the Craft were 
satisfied with the Lecturer they had se- 
lected. 1871. 

3. The delegates to the Grand Lodge, 
or a majority of them from each Mason- 
ic district, shall assemble during each ses- 
sion of the Grand Lodge, and recommend 
to the Grand Lecturer some suitable 
brother in good standing, and member of 
some Lodge in the district wherein any 
vacancy may exist, to be appointed Dis- 
trict Lecturer. Should said delegates 
fail to make such recommendation, then 
the District Deputy Grand Master shall 
make such recommendation, and the 
Grand Lecturer shall appoint such brother 
as District Lecturer, if deemed by him to 
be qualified and in possession of the Ma- 
sonic work, as authorized and taught by 
the Grand Lodge, to continue in office 
during the pleasure of the Grand Master 
or Grand Lecturer. In the event of 
the said delegates and District Deputy 
Grand Master failing, for the period of 
thirty days after the close of each Annual 
Communication of the Grand Lodge, 
then the Grand Lecturer is authorized to 
fill such vacancies without a recommen- 
dation. 

Art. vii., §8. 1871. 

4. A District Lecturer has no author= 



35 



ity to preside over a Lodge of Instruction 
called by a District Deputy Grand Mas- 
ter. 1874. 
Dues. 

1. Lodge dues are not due until they 
accrue — that is, at the end of the Mason- 
ic year — no matter what regulation a 
Lodge may have for collecting its dues. 
There is no objection to its collecting 
dues in advance, if the members are wil- 
ling to pay, but a Lodge cannot exercise 
acts of discipline for collecting dues in 
advance. If a member's annual dues re- 
main unpaid at the end of the year, the 
Lodge may proceed against him for non- 
payment of dues, as provided by law, 
without waiting for a year's dues to be 
a year over due, but it cannot add to his 
bill of indebtedness to the Lodge a year's 
dues in advance. 1877. 1880. 

See Dist. Dep. Gr. Master 2. a. 

2. A Lodge can adopt a By-Law rais- 
ing its scale of dues without first obtain- 
ing the approval of the Grand Lodge. 

Art. xvi., §1. 1869. 

3. A Lodge has no right to tax its 
members except in the way of dues, the 
amount of which can only be prescribed 
by By-Law adopted in the usual way. It 
is optionary with a brother to pay a spe- 
cial assessment or not, and his dimit can- 



36 



not be withheld on account of his refusal 
to pay it. Art. xvi., §i. 1874. 

4. Every Mason, having the ability, 
should pay his dues. If he is unable to 
pay, the Lodge should remit them, but 
no excuse of religious scruples should be 
received to avoid the requirement of a 
positive law. 1870. 

5. The dues of a member may be re- 
mitted upon proper application in writing, 
or in person, or through a brother cogni- 
zant of the inability of the member to 
pay his dues. 1870. 

Amotion to remit upon the statement of 
such facts, is admissible, and should be 
entertained by the Master and the vote of 
the Lodge be taken upon the question. 

1870. 1878. 

6. If the dues of a member be remit- 
ted by vote of the Lodge no reconsider- 
ation of such action is legal. 

The liability of the member is cancel 
led by the vote, and the dues cannot 
again be charged to his account. 1878. 

7. When, on a trial for non-payment 
of dues, the delinquent pleads inability to 
pay in mitigation of such neglect, and 
the plea is sustained by an acquittal, 
such acquittal does not discharge him 
from the debt of dues then owing, and 
constitutes no bar to subsequent proceed- 



37 



ings for the non-payment of all dues in 
which the member is indebted to the 
Lodge. I&11- 

8. Dues cannot be remitted by im- 
plication. To remit dues the action of 
the Lodge must be direct on proper mo- 
tion. 1877. 

See Dimits 9. 10. 

9. Dues cannot be remitted until they 
have accrued. A vote to remit a broth- 
er's dues "as long as he may continue a 
member of the Lodge,' ' is null and void. 

1874. 

10. A Lodge cannot, in its corporate 
capacity, sue a brother for its Masonic 
dues. 1872. 

11. A member cannot be excelled for 
non-payment of dues. 1869. 

See Trials 19. 44. 51. 52. 

12. An expelled or suspended Mason 
who has been restored, is liable only for 
such dues as had accrued prior to the 
date of his expulsion. His Lodge dues 
re-commence from the date of his restora- 
tion. 1878. 

See Fees 1. 4. a. 

13. Suspension for a definite time for 
any offense does not cancel dues that ac- 
crued before the date of suspension. 
Dues should not, however, be charged 
against a brother during the time for 



38 

which he was suspended. 1 &*19* 

Elections. 
See Dist. Lecturers. 

Gr. Lodge Off. i. n. 
Lodge Off. i to 5. 
Eligibility. 
See Grand Lodge Off. 
Worsh. Mast. 1 to 5. 
Emergencies. 
See Dispensations 2. 

Entered Apprentices and Fellow 
Crafts. 

1. Entered Apprentices and Fellow 
Crafts are not entitled to Masonic burial. 
This is confined exclusively to Master 
Masons. Nor can E. A.'s and F. C.'s 
appear in any public procession of Ma- 
sons. 1878 

2. A Fellow Craft can neither ad- 
vance, nor receive a certificate of di- 
mission, nor can a Lodge waive its jur- 
isdiction, after objection has been made 
to his advancement, until the objection 
has been removed. J^7^' 

3. Entered Apprentices and Fellow 
Crafts who may be rejected, may renew 
their application at every stated meeting 
following the rejection. 1869. 

See Dimits 13. 14. 

Pet. for Mvs. 21 to 26. 



39 

4. An Entered Apprentice or Fellow 
Craft who may be rejected for advance- 
ment, must be examined as to -proficiency 
when he again applies for the next de- 
gree. 1869. 

5. A waiver of jurisdiction over an 
E. A. or F; C. in favor of a specific 
Lodge is to all intents and purposes a 
general waiver. 1875. 

6. Lodge No. 1 granted a certificate 
of good standing to a Fellow Craft, and 
gave him permission to join any other 
Lodge. He petitioned Lodge No. 2, 
under whose jurisdiction he resided, and 
was rejected. Lodge No. 1 had waived 
jurisdiction over the Fellow Craft, for it 
gave him permission to join any other 
Lodge. It, therefore, made him a non- 
affiliated Fellow Craft. If Lodge No. 2 
rejected him on his petition to join, it 
did not change his status as a non-affili- 
ate. By that act it obtained no right to 
him, or control over him, whatever. He 
is still free, under his certificate of dis- 
missal, to join any Lodge he may elect 
to petition. 

If he selects Lodge No. x, he must 
petition regularly to become a Fellow 
Craft of that Lodge, presenting the cer- 
tificate the Lodge formerly granted him. 
The petition must be referred to a com- 



4 o 

mittee, and take its regular course. If 
the petitioner is elected, he is not elected 
to receive the Master's degree, but sim- 
ply as a Fellow Craft of that Lodge, the 
relation in which he formerly stood to it. 
He must be examined as to his proficien- 
cy, and also considered as to his other 
qualifications, and may then be duly 
elected to receive the Master's degree ; 
or the Lodge may reject his application, 
and he still remains a Fellow Craft of 
that Lodge. 187 1. 

See Jurisdiction 5 to 17. 
Lodges 7. 

Evidence. 

See Trials 42 to 48. 

Examination. 
I. Candidates for advancement can- 
not be examined at a special meeting but 
must be examined at the stated meeting 
in which the ballot is to be had. 1867. 
See E. A. and F. C. 4. 6. 
Jurisdiction 17. 
Pet. for Mys. 22. 24. 26. 
Of non-affiliate see Pet. for Aff. 2. 
Of visitors Work 2. 

Of Officers of New Lodges, Lodges 

U. D. 3. 
Of Candidate. 

Com. of Inv. 1. 



Expulsion. 

See Dues n. 12. 

Trials 56. 70 to 72. 

Restoration 1 to 8. 

Status 4. 5. 7. 

* 'Favorable." 
See Committee of Investigation 4. 

Pees. 

1. Remission of fees, or a donation 
to a candidate for the degrees, is a vio- 
lation of the law, and cannot be permit- 
ted. It is unlawful to take a note for in- 
itiation fees or Lodge dues. 

1871 Art. xvi. §2. 1879. 

2. At least one-half of the aggregate 
fees for the three degrees shall be depos- 
ited with the petition for initiation. 

1869. 
See Pet. for Mys. 3. 10. 18. 19. 

3. A petitioner for the Mysteries who 
does not present himself for initiation 
within six months after he shall have 
been duly notified of his election, shall 
forfeit his initiation fee, provided he does 
not give good reasons for his failure to 
appear, and of the validity of his excuse 
the majority of the members present 
must be the judge ; provided, if the time 
exceed one year, a Committee of Inves- 
tigation must be appointed, and the case 



4 2 

take the regular course of a new petition, 
already presented, and accompanied by 
the fee. 1872. 

4. When a Lodge confers the degrees 
at the request of another, it does not 
thereby acquire jurisdiction, and the 
fees belong .to the latter, unless it sees 
proper to relinquish them. 

See Jurisdiction 8. 10. 11. 

4. a. A non-affiliated Mason, when 
he petitions a Lodge for membership, 
should not be required to contribute in 
the nature of dues for the time he was 
non-affiliated over twelve months ; the af- 
filiation fee of a Lodge should be alike 
to all. 1879. 

5. No fee shall be charged for affilia- 
tion where the applicant has paid dues 
within twelve months. 1870. 

6. Where degrees have been improp- 
erly conferred, and the candidate is 
"formally heled," he is not required to 
pay fees for the "heleing process." 

1874. 
See Clandestine Masons 4. 5- 

Fellow Crafts. 
See Ent. Ap. and Fel. Cr. 
Forms. 

Of Dimits. See Dimits 18. 

Of Widows' Certificates see Widows 2. 



43 

Fraud- 

See Committee of Investigation 2. 
Trials 11. 16. 

Funerals. 

1. In the burial of a deceased broth- 
er by a Masonic Lodge, or jn the per- 
formance of other Masonic labor in pub- 
lic, the control by the Lodge must be ab- 
solute, and while the Lodge is exercising 
that control, no non-masonic association 
shall be permitted to participate. This, 
of course, does not exclude religious ex- 
ercises by ministers of the Gospel, nor 
does it prohibit non-masonic associations 
from following in the procession. 1877. 

1. a. The Brethren participating must 
be clothed simply as Masons, and the 
Lodge must take full charge of the fune- 
ral, or have nothing to do with it. 

1881. 

2. A Lodge, as such, should not at- 
tend the funeral of a deceased brother 
except to perform the last Masonic rites 
at the grave, or to escort the remains to 
the place whence they are to be convey- 
ed out of its jurisdiction for interment. 

1875- 

3. A Lodge should not be opened at 
a place different from that named in the 



44 

charter. The proper manner of pro= 
ceeding on funeral occasions is to open 
the Lodge at the hali, proceed to the 
place of funeral, and return to the hall 
and close the Lodge. A residence is 
not a proper place to perform the open- 
ing and closing ceremonies of the Lodge. 

1873. 
See Worsh. Mast. 12 a. 13. 

4. A member of a Lodge who dies, 
after the charter of his Lodge has been 
arrested by the Grand Master, and be- 
fore the case has been reviewed by the 
Grand Lodge, is entitled to Masonic 
burial. Such a Brother's Masonic rights 
as also those of his Lodge, are simply 
held in abeyance— not destroyed. Spe- 
cial provision should be made for the 
funeral. As the Lodge which the Brother 
was a member has no charter, and as a 
Lodge must meet to perform funeral 
ceremonies, the nearest Lodge, or any 
other Lodge to which it may be conven- 
ient, may take charge of the funeral. 

1878. 

5. There are no regulations sanction- 
ing a Lodge of sorrow, and none for any 
services over the grave of a dead brother 
after his burial. !873. 

6. The Grand Lodge recommends to 



45 

all Subordinate Lodges a strict observ- 
ance of the requirements of the Masonic 
Monitor in attending funeral processions, 
and especially that part of the instruc- 
tions which requires uniformity of dress, 
as far as practicable. 

1838. Art. xvi. § 36. 

7. All necessary expenses incurred in 
the burial of a brother member, dying 
within the jurisdiction of a sister Lodge, 
and by it buried, must be paid by his 
Lodge. 1878. 

8. And this is so, even if the brother 
has taken up a residence in another State, 
still retaining his membership here. 

1873- 

Grand Lodge. 

1. The jurisdiction of the Grand 
Lodge, within its own limits, as well as 
over the first three degrees of Masonry, 
has been too long settled to be now dis- 
turbed, and all Lodges established there- 
in, without its authority, are declared to 
be clandestine Lodges. 1842. 

2. When a vote by Lodges is called, 
none shall vote as representatives, or 
Past Grand Officers, or Past Masters 
whose names are not at the time on the 
report of the Committee on Credentials, 



4 6 

and called by the Grand Secretary when 
the vote is taken. 1870. 

3. The recommendations of the Com- 
mittee on Grievance of the Grand Lodge 
are to be taken as tantamount to orders. 

1871. 

4. The printed Proceedings of the 
Grand Lodge are official, and should be 
so regarded by Subordinate Lodges. 

1873- 

See Jurisdiction 1. Restoration 1. 7. 
Lodges 1. Past Masters 1. 

Grand Lodge Dimits. 

See Dimits 16. 17. 

Grand Master. 

The Grand Master has not the right to 
restore the charter to any Subordinate 
Lodge after the same has been arrested 
or surrendered, or to grant a dispensa- 
tion to said Lodge, until the facts are re- 
ported to the Grand Lodge. 

i856.Art. iii. § 1. 2. 

2 . Nor has he the right to make Masons 
at sight, nor convene a Lodge for that 
purpose, unless power is given him by 
the Grand Lodge to do so. 1850. 

See Dispensations 1. 2. 



47 

3. A Grand Master has no right to 
order a new trial when there is only a 
difference of opinion between him and 
the Lodge in relation to the guilt of the 
party accused ; but where the law has 
not been complied with he is authorized 
to order a new trial, to be had in con- 
formity to law. 1870. 1873. 

4. The decisions of a Grand Master 
are not valid after being reported to the 
Grand Lodge, unless confirmed by the 
Grand Lodge. 1869 

5. A Grand Master's private seal au- 
thorized. I 874- 

6. The following resolution repealed : 
" That the Grand Master, when he de- 
livers his annual address to the Grand 
Lodge, return all the reports to him by 
the D. D. Grand Masters, and that they 
be printed with the proceedings of the 
Grand Lodge." 187 1. 

See Lodge Off. 2. 4. 
Trials 69. 

Grand Lodge Officers. 

1. Officers shall be chosen on the 
morning of the third day of the session, 
but shall not be installed into their offices 
until all other business before the Grand 
Lodge has been entirely disposed of ; 



4 8 

which said installation shall close the 
Masonic year. 1868. 

2. No member of the Grand Lodge 
shall absent himself without special per- 
mission of the Grand Master. 1870. 

3. If any member absenting himself 
shall appoint a proxy, said proxy shall 
not be entitled to cast the vote of such 
member, or of the Lodge he may repre- 
sent, until he has reported to the Com- 
mittee on Credentials. 1870. 

4. No one of the officers of the 
Grand Lodge, enumerated in the XVII 
Article of the "Old Regulations," shall, 
while holding office in the Grand Lodge, 
act as Master or Warden in his Subordi- 
nate Lodge. 1861. 

5. Any Past Grand Master, Past 
Deputy Grand Master, Past Grand War- 
den, Past Grand Treasurer, or Past 
Grand Secretary of this Grand Lodge, 
who may hold a dimit and has not de- 
prived himself of Masonic benefits, and 
resides in this jurisdiction, is eligible to 
election or appointment to any office in 
this Grand Lodge ; and any elected or 
appointed officer of this Grand Lodge, 
who is either a Past Grand Master, Past 
Deputy Grand Master, Past Grand War- 
den, Past Grand Treasurer, or Past 



49 

Grand Secretary thereof, may dimit from 
his Lodge for the purpose of affiliating 
elsewhere in this jurisdiction, or of form- 
ing a new Lodge, without forfeiting his 
office. 1 %19- 

Grand Lecturer. 
See Dist. Lecturer 3. 

Grievance Committee of Grand Lodge. 

See Grand Lodge 3. 

"Guilty" or "Not Guilty." 

See Trials 50. 55. 

Halls. 

1. It is unnecessary to dedicate and 
consecrate a hall when the Lodge that 
meets in it is organized under dispensa- 
tion. 1871. Art. xv. § 1. 8. 

SeeD. D. G. M.4. 

Lodges 8 to 11. 13. 

" Heleing." 

See Fees 6. 

Holidays. 

See Processions 1.2. 



5° 

Honorary Members, 

See Membership 2. 

Introduction. 

See Work 3. 

Installation of Officers. 

1. A public installation is strictly a 
Masonic occasion, and no dispensation 
is necessary for the Lodge conducting it 
to appear in procession. 1874. 

2. An installation of the officers of a 
Lodge cannot be had, either public or 
private, without opening the Lodge. 
The records of a Lodge must show the 
installation of its officers, and this can 
only be made while the Lodge is in ses- 
sion ; but this does not prevent the pub- 
lic installation of officers. It simply re- 
quires that the Lodge be opened before 
going to the place of installation. After 
public installation the Lodge should re- 
turn to its Lodge-room and close the 
Lodge. The records should show the 
entire proceedings. ^7^- J 879- 

2. a. The Lodge must be regularly 
opened and closed for the installation of 
officers ; but where two or more Lodges 
meet in the same hall, and wish to install 



5i 

officers at the same time, it is not neces- 
sary that the opening and closing cere- 
monies be gone through with more than 
once. 1880. 

3. Officers of Lodges U. D. are not 
installed. 1869. 

3. a. A re-elected officer must be re- 
installed. 1880. 

4. None but actual Past Masters can 
install the officers of a Lodge. 1878. 

See Gr. L. Off. 1- 

Lodge Off. 6 to 1 1. 
Worsh. Mast. 4. 5. 5. a. 

Instruction, Lodge of. 

See Lodge of Instruction. 

Investigation Committee. 

See Committee of Investigation. 

Ireland. 

See Pet. for Aff. 5. 

Joint Occupancy of Halls. 

See Lodges 8. 9. 

Joint Celebrations. 

See Processions 3. 



52 



Jurisdiction. 



1. A Grand Lodge having been duly 
organized and formally recognized by 
this Grand Lodge, all jurisdiction for- 
merly held by this Grand Lodge is sur- 
rendered, and no appointment of D. D. 
Grand Masters to preside over such 
Lodges as may have elected to remain 
connected with this Grand Lodge can be 
made, nor can Dispensations be granted 
for the formation of new Lodges within 
the surrendered territory. 1878. 

2. When a Lodge moves, the act car- 
ries with it a change of jurisdiction, 
such as would accompany the establish- 
ment of a new Lodge ; it relinquishes a 
portion of its old territory and takes 
possession of new territory that former- 
ly belonged to some other Lodge, the 
new home of the Lodge becoming the 
center of its local jurisdiction. 1872. 

3. Upon questions of invasion of jur- 
isdiction between Lodges where the in- 
terests involved are purely local, the 
Grand Lodge will not pass. The air-line 
route determines jurisdictional bounda- 
ries. 1876. Art. xvi., §1. 

3. a. A, who resides in St. Louis 
county, but nearer a Lodge in the city of 
St. Louis than one in the county, is with- 



53 

in the jurisdiction of the former. Jur- 
isdiction is determined by the distance, 
on a straight line, from the residence of 
the petitioner, and is not affected by city 
limits or county boundaries. 1879. 

To what Lodges non-affiliates may ap- 

ply. 

See Non. Aff. 3. 

To what, expelled Masons. 

See Restoration 6. 

4. A Lodge may waive jurisdiction 
over a portion of its territory, granted to 
it under the law, by unanimous consent 
of its members. 1871. Art. xvi., §6. 

Penal Jurisdiction. 
See Lodges U. D. 8. 

Non. Aff. 1.2. 

Trials 1 to 8. 

5. Lodges cannot confer degrees un- 
less the candidate has resided one year 
in the State, except by request of the 
Lodge under whose jurisdiction he for- 
merly resided, and by whom he has been 
elected. 1871. Art. xvi., §5. 

6. If the candidate has been initiated 
in a Lodge of another State, a waiver of 
jurisdiction must be obtained from such 
Lodge. 1876. Art. xvi., § 15. 



54 



7- A Missouri Lodge is not bound by 
any obligation but Masonic comity to 
comply with the request of a Lodge of 
another State to confer a degree for such 
Lodge, but, should it do so, it would vi- 
olate no Masonic law of Missouri, nor 
would it deviate from any land-mark of 
Masonry. 1872. 

8. A Lodge may waive jurisdiction 
over a prospective candidate in favor of 
another Lodge, and when it does so it 
gives up all rights to the candidate and 
the fees for degrees. 

1871. Art. xvi., § 6. 

9. When, after petitioning, an appli- 
cant for the Mysteries removes from the 
jurisdiction of the Lodge which received 
his petition, the Lodge still holds juris- 
diction over him. The Lodge may 
waive jurisdiction, if it is deemed prop- 
er. 1871. 

See Pet. for Mys. 8. 9. 10. 

10. In which case the candidate is 
subject to the fees, for the remaining de- 
grees, of the Lodge to which he applies. 

1871. 

11. When one Lodge, at the request 
of another, confers degrees on a candi- 
date, the Lodge making the request loses 
no part of its jurisdiction over the can- 



55 

didate. The Lodge doing the work has 
nothing further to do in the premises. 
It should collect of the candidate the 
fees for degrees of the Lodge for which 
it is working, and duly transmit them, 
unless the Lodge for which the work is 
done, relinquishes all claims on the mon- 
ey, which is usually the case. 187 1. 
See Fees 4. 

12. It requires unanimous consent of 
all the members present to grant another 
Lodge the privilege to confer degrees, or 
to waive jurisdiction in favor of a can- 
didate. 1869. 

13. No Lodge can do work for any 
other Lodge without the unanimous con- 
sent of the Lodge for which the work is 
done, in order that the Lodge may not be 
deprived of the right of objection, which 
it may exercise at any stage of the pro- 
ceedings. 1876. 

14. An Entered Apprentice or Fellow 
Craft may change his Lodge, either for 
the purpose of receiving the remaining 
degree, or degrees, or becoming perma- 
nently connected with another Lodge. 
To affect these transfers legally, there 
are two distinct modes of procedure, 
permission or request to do the work, 
and waiver of jurisdiction. In the first, 



56 



the Lodge requests another Lodge to do 
the work for it ; in the second, it relin- 
quishes all control over the Entered Ap- 
prentice or Fellow Craft. 187 1. 

15. The waiver of jurisdiction means 
giving up all claims on the brother, and 
it should be expressly stated that juris- 
diction is relinquished. 187 1. 

16. Lodge No. 1, by certificate, grants 
permission to Lodge No. 2 to confer the 
second and third degrees on Bro. A. B., 
an Entered Apprentice, when found pro- 
ficient. Instead of doing the work, 
Lodge No. 2 prefers charges against 
Bro. A . B., tries and expels him. 

Decided, That the certificate was not 
a waiver of jurisdiction ; that Lodge No. 
2 has no penal jurisdiction over A. B., 
and that its proceedings were irregular 
and void. Lodge No. 1 takes immedi- 
ate cognizance of the case, and proceeds 
to trial in the regular form. 187 1. 

17. The certificate of waiver of juris- 
diction places the Entered Apprentice or 
Fellow Craft in the relation of a non- 
affiliate to the Order. He may petition 
any Lodge he chooses to be accepted as 
an Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft, 
according to his grade, sending in his 
certificate — in lieu of a dimit — with his 



57 



petition. If rejected, he receives his 
certificate again, and retains the position 
of a non-affiliate, having the right to pe- 
tition any Lodge he may select. If elect- 
ed, he is simply accepted as an Entered 
Apprentice or Fellow Craft, and the 
Lodge has, by that act, obtained exclu- 
sive jurisdiction over him. He must 
then be examined as to his proficiency, 
and another ballot must be taken for his 
advancement. An examination before 
election, and only one ballot, will not do. 
The brother does not yet belong to the 
Lodge to examine. He must first be ac- 
cepted by the Lodge, according to his 
grade, on his petition as a non-affiliate 
alone. 1871. 

See E. A. and F. C. 2. 6. 

Past Masters. 

Pet. for Aff. 13. 

Lawful Information. 

See Pet. for Aff . 2. 

Leave of Absence. 

See Absence. 

Grand Lodge 2. 

Lecturer. 

See District Lecturer. 



58 

Lectures and Work. 

See Work. 

Legal Proceedings. 

See Lodges 12. 
Trials 1. 

Limitation. 

See By-Laws 8. 

Lodges. 

1. During the sitting of the Grand 
Lodge no Subordinate Lodge can be 
legally opened, or any business transact- 
ed therein, without special permission of 
the Grand Lodge, except to perform 
Funeral Services, as provided by Section 
19, Art. 16, Bv-Laws of Grand Lodge. 

1868. 

2. When the charter of a Lodge has 
been arrested by the Grand Master, the 
rights, privileges and jurisdiction of the 
Lodge are not destroyed, but remain in 
abeyance until the Grand Lodge passes 
upon the arrest. Justice to the Lodge 
requires that all its rights should remain 
intact. Therefore, it is improper for 
dimits to be granted to members of the 
Lodge, and illegal for any other Lodge 



59 

to receive the petition of a profane living 
within the jurisdiction of the Lodge, 
whose charter has been arrested, until 
such action is confirmed by the Grand 
Lodge. x 877. 

3. Pending such action the Grand 
Master cannot restore the charter or 
grant a dispensation to the Lodge. 

1856. Art. iii., §§ 1. 2. 

3. a. A Lodge once regularly closed 
cannot be re-opened on the same commu- 
nication. 1880. 

4. The charter must be present in the 
Lodge when in session, in order to ren- 
der its proceedings valid. l ^7^- 

5. A Lodge cannot be opened at any 
other place than that named in the char- 
ter, except by Dispensation from the 
Grand Master, or by authority of the 
Grand Lodge. A summons to convene 
in any other place than their own hall, 
without such permission or authority, is 
illegal. 1878. 

6. A Lodge cannot be opened either 
at a regular or at a called communica- 
tion, with less than seven members pres- 
ent — seven being the constitutional quo- 
rum for the transaction of all business, 
long since established. Six members 
and one or more visitors cannot open or 



6o 



work in a Lodge. 

1874. 1878. Art. xvi., §33. 

7. A Lodge of Entered Apprentices 
and Fellow Crafts are Master Masons at 
labor in those degrees ; and as a Lodge 
cannot meet and open with a smaller 
number than seven Master Masons and 
members of the Lodge, this definition of 
a Lodge empowers any Lodge, when 
seven Master Masons are present, to open 
and work on the Entered Apprentice or 
Fellow Craft degrees and be closed upon 
those degrees without opening on the 
third. 1867. 

8. It is impolitic for a Lodge to allow 
any other organization to occupy a hall 
in common with itself, and illegal to be- 
come joint-owners or occupants with any 
other than exclusively moral or benevo- 
lent associations. Co-partnerships with 
political or secular societies are not tol- 
erated. 1874. l8 75- 

9. There is no law prohibiting join* 
occupation of a hall with any other char 
itable or benevolent institution. 1878. 

The Order known as the A. O. U. 
W. being charitable and benevolent in its 
nature, it is competent for a Lodge to 
sub-let its hall to the same. ^19- 



6i 



10. The anterooms of a Masonic 
Hall shall not be rented to any one as 
offices, but must be held for the exclusive 
use of the Lodge. 1878. 

10. a. Hereafter no Lodge shall oc- 
cupy a hall jointly with any other than a 
Masonic organization. Provided, this 
prohibition shall not affect existing con- 
tracts with moral and benevolent associa- 
tions, but when such contracts expire 
by limitation, they shall not be renewed. 

Takes effect October, 1882. 1 88 1 . 

ii. A Lodge, to remove from one 
town or place to another, or from one 
hall to another in the same town, must 
first decide to remove by a vote of at 
least two-thirds of all its resident mem- 
bership, the members having been duly 
notified to attend the Lodge, at a stated 
meeting, to consider this subject. The 
requisite vote having been obtained, it is 
the duty of the D. D. G. M. of the dis- 
trict to examine the proposed new hall, 
and, if he approve, recommend the re- 
moval of the Lodge. The Lodge should 
then petition the Grand Master (or the 
Grand Lodge, if in session,) for permis- 
sion to remove, stating its total member- 
ship, the vote for and against removal, 



62 



and giving a full description of the pro- 
posed hall, as required by law in the es- 
tablishment of new Lodges. 1872. 

12. A Lodge cannot, in its corporate 
capacity, sue a member for the amount 
of his Masonic dues. 1872. 

13. No Lodge shall be permitted to 
contract debts, or engage in enterprises 
for building halls, until sufficient availa- 
ble means shall have been secured to 
complete the same. 1876. 

14. Masonic Lodges, as such, should 
neither encourage nor discourage the or- 
ganizations of Chapters of the Order of 
the Eastern Star. They are doubtless 
useful to the families of Masons, and the 
Order is a benevolent one, but it is no 
part of Masonry, and should not be re- 
garded as such. Masons, as individuals, 
may encourage them by becoming mem- 
bers and active workers therein, as they 
may in any other secret benevolent or- 
der. 1879- 

See Funerals. Halls 1. Jurisdiction. 

Lodges under Dispensation. 

1. The law requires the recommen- 
dation of a chartered Lodge to the peti- 
tion for a dispensation to form a new 



63 



Lodge. 1870. Art. xv., §1. 2d. 

2. The dimits of the petitioning 
brethren must accompany their petition, 
and the petition should have the signa- 
tures of the petitioners written by them- 
selves. 1859. A rt - xv -» §i«2d. 1875. 

3. The officers must be examined by 
the nearest Lodge as to their ability to 
confer the degrees, and the certificate of 
the Lodge to the proficiency of the offi- 
cers is "that they were placed in the sev- 
eral stations and exemplified the work." 
As the qualificacions of the Master thus 
certified to are an inducement to the 
granting of letters, the Lodge should 
not be set to work in the absence of the 
Master named in the letters. 

1873. Art. xv., §1. 2d. 

4. A copy of the dispensation must 
be entered on the record. 1869. 

5. It is the duty of Lodges U. D. to 
have read and approved the minutes of 
the last regular meeting held under dis- 
pensation, before the close of the same ; 
that the records may be all signed by the 
Worshipful Master and Secretary before 
being presented to the Grand Lodge. 

1872. Art. xv., §1. 6th. 

6. Lodges U. D. may grant dimits. 

1872. 



64 

7- Their officers are not installed. 

1869. 

8. They have penal jurisdiction over 
their own members and non-affiliates 
within their local jurisdiction. 1873. 

See Halls 1. 

Lodge of Instruction. 

1. Subordinate Lodges and Lodges 
of Instruction should pay the expenses 
of the Grand Lecturer in his official vis- 
its to said Lodges, and other expenses of 
said Lodges of Instruction, and the Dis- 
trict Deputy Grand Masters should em- 
body in their reports the amounts so paid 
by the Lodges in their respective dis- 
tricts. 1876. Art. vii., §8. 

SeeD.D. G. M. 3. 
Dist. Lecturer 4. 

Lodge of Sorrow. 

See Funerals 5. 

Lodge Officers. 

1. There is no rule requiring that 
members of a Lodge should be summon- 
ed or notified to attend a regular meeting 
for the election of officers. 1875. 



65 

2. An election for officers of a Lodge 
held after the regular time fixed by the 
By-Laws, without special permission 
of the Grand Master, is null and void — 
the old officers hold over until the next 
annual election. 1878. 

3. Where the By-Laws require the 
election to take place on the day of eith- 
er of the Saints John, should that day 
fall on Sunday it will be legal if the 
Lodge is opened and the work done on 
the previous Saturday or the following 
Monday or Tuesday, according to the 
day fixed by vote of the Lodge at the 
previous regular meeting. 1875. 

4. The Grand Master may issue a 
dispensation for the election of a Master 
and both Wardens when all three offices 
are vacant by death or removal, but can- 
not issue a dispensation for a special 
election of one of these officers. 1867. 

See Dispensations 1. 

5. Blank ballots at the election of 
officers in Subordinate Lodges must be 
counted. 1872. 

6. None of the officers of a Lodge, 
either elected or appointed, can be in- 
stalled by proxy, and all officers hold 
over until their successors are dulv in- 
stalled. 1868. 1871. 



66 



7- They must serve at least twelve 
months, and until their successors are 
elected and installed. 1871. 

8. An installed officer cannot resign 
or dimit while in office. 1867. 

8. a. A re-elected officer must be re- 
installed. 1880. 

9. The law prohibiting an installed 
officer of a Lodge from dimitting while 
he is in office, is a good one. There are 
seven installed officers, and they consti- 
tute a quorum of the Lodge. The life 
of the Lodge in membership is thus in- 
sured. I 874- 

10. The removal from the State of 
the Master of a Lodge or of any other4 
elective and installed officer does not dis- 
qualify or vacate his office during the 
term for which he was elected and in- 
stalled. 1878. 

11. The Chaplain of a Lodge is an 
officer thereof when the office is provided 
for in its By-Laws, and when duly in- 
stalled cannot resign, and, hence, can- 
not be legally elected to any other office to 
be installed before the expiration of his 
term of office as Chaplain. ^19- 

Lodge Furniture. 

See D. D. G. M. 5. 



6 7 

Majority Vote. 

See Committee of Investigation 5. 6 Q 
Votes 1. 

Mark. 

See Pet. for Mysteries 1, 

Masonic Occasions. 

See Installation of Officers x 
Processions 1. 
Privileges . 

See Non.-Aff. 3 to 8. 
Status 1. 5. 
Trials 10. 
Standing. 

See Restoration 1. 5 to 7. 

Master. 

See Gr. L. Off. 4. 
Lodge Off. 10. 
Worsh. Mast. 

Master Mason. 

Rights and Privileges. 

See Funerals 4. 
Making at sight. 

See Gr. Mast. 2. 



68 



Membership. 

i. A Master Mason raised in this 
jurisdiction shall be considered ifsofacto^ 
a member of the Lodge which raised 
him, without further ballot, except where 
the work has been done for another 
Lodge ; then the brother shall be consid- 
ered a member of the Lodge which made 
the request. 1869. 

2. Our law recognizes no such relation 
as "honorary membership," and it is 
out of order and a nullity for a Lodge 
to elect and declare any person an hon- 
orary member of the same. I 874* 

See Pet. for Aff. 3. a. 

Visitation 3. 
How secured, See Lodge Off. 9. 

Past Masters 1. 
Restoration to, See Dimits 15. 

Status 6. 
Trials 72. 
In Specific Grand Lodges. 

See D. D. G. M. 4. 

Minutes. 

1. The minutes of a Lodge are not 
"adopted;" they are "approved," as a 
true record of the proceedings. If they 
do not furnish a correct statement of the 
business of the Lodge, they should be 



6 9 

revised and made to conform to the 
facts. 1872. 

See Objections 4. 5. 
Trials 41. 

2. The minutes must state what the 
Lodge did, so far as necessary or prac- 
ticable. If it did wrong, objecting to 
the minutes being approved will not cor- 
rect the error. The remedy must be ap- 
plied in another way. 1872. 

3. Objections to minutes can only be 
entertained when they point out errors 
or omissions in the record, and the Mas- 
ter should give opportunity for such cor- 
rection ; if none is suggested, he should 
announce the minutes approved, and or- 
der the fact noted. 1872. 

4. The records of a Lodge should 
not be approved until they are properly 
engrossed in the record book. 1872. 

See Lodges U. D. 4. 5. 
Worsh. Mast. 7. 

Mistakes. 

In balloting, see Ballots 8. 
In jurisdiction, see Pet. for Mys. 8. 
10. 15. 

Monitor, 

1. No particular Monitor or Manual 



7o 

for Subordinate Lodges is authorized. 

1869. 
See Funerals 5. 

Motions. 

See Dues 5. 8. 

New Charges. 

See Trials 38. 39. 

New Lodges. 

SeeD. D. G. M. 5. 
Jurisdiction 2. 
Worsh. Mast. 2. 

New Petitions. 

See Non.-Aff. 5. 

Pet. for Aff. 12. 

New Tests. 

See Work 2. 

New Trials. 

See Gr. M. 3. 
Trials 69. 

New York Ct'f 's. 

See Pet. for Aff. 4. 



7i 

Non-Affiliat e s . 

i. A non-affiliated Mason, when he 
petitions a Lodge for membership, be- 
comes subject to the penal jurisdiction 
of the Lodge which he has petitioned, 
without reference to a removal of his 
residence. The ballot on his petition 
may be delayed if charges intervene ; 
the trial proceedings and a verdict of 
Suspension or Expulsion finally dispose 
of the petition, and virtually stand in the 
place of a ballot for election or rejection. 

1872. 

2. Non-affiliates are subject to the 
penal jurisdiction of the Lodge within 
whose territorial jurisdiction they reside. 

1873. 
See Lodges U. D 8. 
Trials 5. 

3. A non-affiliated Master Mason 
may apply for affiliation to any Lodge 
that will receive him, and is not confined 
to the jurisdiction of his immediate 
Lodge in making such application. 

1869. 1871. 
See By-Laws 8. 

4. If rejected he is not thereby de- 
barred from visitation unless objections 
are filed. 187 1. 



72 

5» If he again applies he must do so 
by a new petition, in regular form. 

1869. 

6. But if he remains non-affiliated 
for over twelve months he is not entitled 
to participate in the benefits of our char- 
ity fund, nor shall he receive Masonic 
burial. 1876. 

See D. D. G. M. 1. 
Dimits 17. 

7. Nor shall he be permitted to join 
a Masonic procession. 1876. 

8. But if he attempts to affiliate and 
is rejected, he is entitled to Masonic 
privileges for twelve months after each 
rejection. !875. 1878. 

See Clandestine Masons 6. 

9. No Lodge shall confer the degree 
of Fellow Craft or Master Mason upon 
any brother who has been initiated in 
any other Lodge within the United States 
without a recommendation or certificate 
of good standing from the Lodge in 
which he was initiated. 1822. 

SeeE. A. and F. C. 5. 
Fees 4. a. 
Jurisdiction 17. 

Non- Affiliation. 

See Trials 16. 



73 

Non-Masonic* 

See Funerals i. 
Trials 3. 

, Non-Payment of Dues, 
See Trials 26. 27. 52. 

Non-Residents. 

See Funerals 8. 

Notices. 

See Restoration 2 to 4. 

Trials 23. 30. 36. 42. 48. 
Votes 1. 

Objections. 

1 . The right of objection cannot be 
exercised by a Mason, not a member of 
the Lodge to which a -petition for initia- 
tion is presented, any more than the 
right of ballot. 

2. It is the right of every member of 
a Lodge to prevent the admission of any 
applicant, even without rendering a rea- 
son. This right may be wholly defeated 



74 

if, after a ballot is commenced, and ol> 
jections made against the applicant, the 
question can be continued, and, perhaps, 
afterwards taken up and decided in the 
absence of the objector. 1822. 

See Non.-Aff. 4. 

Pet. for My s. 18. 19. 21. 

3. After a petition for initiation and 
membership is read, and before a com- 
mittee is appointed, it is the right of a 
member to object to the application be- 
ing entertained. The petition is not yet 
the property of the Lodge, and if objec- 
tion is made to the petitioner, the Master 
should refuse to receive the petition, and 
order it to be returned to the applicant 
without any action whatever. 1872. 

4. Objections to the reception of a 
petition for initiation or membership, also 
objections to the advancement of a can- 
didate, must be made in open Lodge by 
the objector, if present, or by some 
brother authorized to act for him, and in 
his name, if absent. The fact of objec- 
tion and the name of the objector must 
be duly recorded in the minutes, to be 
valid. " 1872. 

5. The written objection, signed by 
the objector, and delivered to the Master, 
is in the nature of a communication to 



75 

the Lodge, sent through its responsible 
representative head, and should be re- 
spected by the Master and the Lodge. It 
is the duty of the Master to order the 
same to be entered of record in the same 
manner as if the brother had been pres- 
ent in Lodge and made a verbal objec- 
tion. An objection in writing, filed with 
the Master, is as formal and definite as if 
made verbally in open Lodge, and is en- 
titled to the same respect. 1873. 
See Ballots 7. 

Visitation 1.2. 

6. An objection cannot be entertained 
by the Master after a petition is referred 
to a committee, and before a ballot is ta- 
ken. It is also incompetent for the Mas- 
ter to declare any applicant "rejected" 
who has been elected by the members 
present, on the ground that an absent 
brother has objections to his admission, 
but the objection must be entertained by 
the Worshipful Master to prevent the 
conferring of the degree. 1872. 

7. An objection made after the peti- 
tion has been referred to a committee 
cannot stop a report ; but no degree can 
be conferred until the objection is with- 
drawn, or until the objector ceases to be 
a member of the Lodge, even though 



76 

the candidate should be elected in the 
absence of the objector. 1872. 

8. A candidate cannot be advanced 
if a member objects. 1869. 

SeeE. A. andF. C. 2. 

9. An objection to the advancement 
of a candidate is removed by the dimis- 
sion, expulsion or suspension of the ob- 
jector. 1872. 

Objection to Minutes. 
See Minutes 2.3. 

Offenses. 

See Soliciting Candidates 1. 
Trials 11 to 16. 

Officers. 

See Dimits 2. 

Gr. L. Off. 1. 4. 
Installation of Officers 2. 3. 
Lodges U. D. 3. 7. 
Lodge Officers. 

Official. 

See Gr. L. 4. 

Printed proceedings. 
» 

Opening. 

See Work 4. 6. 



77 

Paper Ballots. 

See Ballots 13. 
Lodge Off. 5. 
Trials 54-55- 

Past Masters. 

1. Past Masters of other jurisdic- 
tions, when they move into ours and be- 
come members of Lodges, are entitled to 
all the courtesies extended to Past Mas- 
ters of our own jurisdiction. A Lodge 
may elect them members of its own body, 
but cannot at the same time elect them 
members in the Grand Lodge. Mem- 
bership of the Grand Lodge must be at- 
tained by every member, according to 
our own regulations. 1872. 

2. A virtual or Chapter Past Master 
has the right to sit in a Lodge of actual 
Past Masters, but cannot preside therein, 
nor confer degrees without having be- 
come a present or presiding Master of a 
Lodge, and then only at the request of 
the officer who has the authority to call 
such a Lodge. ^75' 

See Installation of Off. 4. 

Worsh. Mast. 3 to 5. 5. a. 12. a. 
13- 



7 8 



Penal Jurisdiction. 

See Lodges U. D. 8. 
Non-Aff. i. 2. 
Trials 4 to 8. 

Petitions, 

See Pet. for Mys. 
Pet. for Aff . 
Pet. for Restoration. 
Restoration 3. 4. 

Petitions for Mysteries and Advance- 
ment. 

1. Every applicant for the Mysteries 
of Masonry is required to sign his name 
to his petition. His attested mark does 
not answer the Masonic purpose of a sig- 
nature, and cannot be recognized as 
valid. 1872. 

2. Names of recommenders of peti- 
tions must appear on the record, unless a 
separate record book of petitions is kept. 

1869. 

3. In the case of physical disqualifi- 
cation of the applicant the petition must 
be withdrawn and the fees returned, 
without a ballot, on the ground that the 
petition of such a candidate, if the ob- 
jections had been known beforehand, 



79 

could not have been legally entertained 
by the Lodge. 1869. 1871. 

See Com. of Inv. 1. 

Physical Disqualifications 1.2. 

4. A dispensation cannot be granted 
to initiate any person maimed or disabled, 
or wanting the qualifications established 
by ancient usage. 1823. 

5. Nor to set aside that Ancient 
Landmark which says, we shall " make 
no man a Mason that is not upright in 
body, not deformed or dismembered, at 
the time of making, but must be of hale 
and entire limbs as a man ought to be." 

1850. 

6. Ability to conform literally to the 
ceremonies of initiation into the several 
degrees, meets the ancient qualifications 
of " sound in mind and member." 

1871. 1877 

7. The loss of toes is not a physical 
disqualification, but the loss of an eye is. 

1873. 1875. 

8. A Lodge cannot receive the peti- 
tion for initiation of an applicant who 
has no residence— *no settled home. In 
a question of fact as to residence the 
Lodge must be the judge of the fact, and 
is responsible to the Grand Lodge for its 
action. 1876. Art. xvi. §5. 



8o 

9. When a party residing within the 
jurisdiction of a Lodge, petitions for the 
Mysteries, and his petition is received 
and referred to a Committee of Inquiry, 
the Lodge has obtained lawful jurisdic- 
tion over the same, and the subsequent 
removal of the candidate into the terri- 
tory of another Lodge, does not deprive 
the first Lodge of its jurisdiction once 
lawfully obtained. 1873. 

10. If a Lodge receive the petition 
of a party for the Mysteries, believing at 
the time the petitioner resides in their 
jurisdiction, and the petition is referred 
to a Committee of Inquiry, who ascertain 
the fact of the residence of the petitioner 
being in the jurisdiction of another 
Lodge, the Committee shall so report, 
and all further proceedings be stopped. 
The record should show the facts, and 
the proceedings had, be declared null and 
void for want of jurisdiction. 

1873. Art. xvi. §6. 

Objection to reception of. 
See Objections 2 to 6. 

n. It is made the duty of the Secre- 
tary of every Lodge to which a petition 
is presented, in towns where there are 
two or more Lodges, to inform all the 
other Lodges of the presentation of such 



petit-ion. This provision of law is intend- 
ed to advise all Masons, within the jur- 
isdiction, that the petition is presented, 
and if they know any reason why the 
candidate should not be made a Mason, 
such reason should be stated to the Com- 
mittee of Inquiry, or to the Lodge. 

i873. 

12. Petitions for initiation must 
lie over from one regular stated monthly 
meeting to another, and a report from 
the Committee of Inquiry be had there- 
on before final action. 

1839. Art. xy i- §4- 
See Com. of Inv. 2. 3. 

13. A ballot cannot be had on a pe- 
tition for initiation until a majority of the 
Committee have reported. I 874- 

See Com. of Inv. 4. 
Tyler 1. 

14. In case of the rejection of a can- 
didate, it is the duty of the Secretary to 
return him his fee, and to inform him of 
the rejection of his petition. The can- 
didate has no right to know anything 
else. 1873. 

See Fees 1. 2. 3. 

15. Candidates rejected by Lodges 
which acted under a misapprehension of 



jurisdiction, have no redress until the 
twelve months have expired. 

187 1. Art. xvi. §7. 
See Lodges 2. 

16. A rejected candidate for the 
Mysteries again presents his petition in 
less than a year after his rejection, is 
elected and initiated : Decided, That 
the whole proceedings were null and 
void, and that the Grand Master could 
dispense with no portion of the time. 

1873. Art. xvi. §7. 

17. A Lodge cannot waive its juris- 
diction over a petitioner thereto for the 
Mysteries of Masonry, until after a bal- 
lot is taken upon the petition. 1877. 

18. After a candidate has been elect- 
ed to receive the first degree, an objec- 
tion to its being conferred can be made, 
which objection holds good until remov- 
ed. Provided, That if the W. M. may 
deem the objection permanent, he may 
declare the candidate rejected, and order 
a return of the fee paid for the degree, 
in which event he has the privilege of re- 
newing his application after twelve 
months shall have expired. 

1871. 1875. 1878. 

19. The fee is not returned on a tem- 
porary objection filed for the purpose of 



83 



gaining furthur information. 1871. 

20. A candidate cannot receive more 
than one degree at the same stated com- 
munication, nor can he be advanced be- 
fore the next stated communication. 

1872. Art. xvi. §§10. 11. 16. 

21. A candidate cannot be advanced 
if a member objects. 1869. 

22. Candidates for advancement can- 
not be examined at a special meeting, 
but must be examined at the stated meet- 
ing in which the ballot is to be had. 

1867. Art. xvi. §11. 

23. A candidate ought not to be ad- 
vanced until he has made suitable pro- 
ficiency in the preceding degree, which 
is defined to be "the capacity to commu- 
nicate the work and lectures to another." 
An Entered Apprentice who cannot 
learn the lectures is entitled to no further 
"light." 1874. 

24. The Lodge votes on proficiency, 
as well as other qualifications, and the 
brethren called upon to vote should hear 
the examination. 1871. 

25. Entered Apprentices and Fellow 
Crafts, who maybe rejected, may renew 
their application at every stated meeting 
following the rejection. 1869. 



8 4 

26. But they must be examined as to 
proficiency when they again apply. 

1869. 1874. 

Petitions for Affiliation. 

f. The application of a dimitted Mas- 
ter Mason for membership in a Lodge, 
may be received, notwithstanding he may 
not be able to sign his name -to his peti- 
tion. Our law positively requires a peti- 
tioner for the Mysteries of Masonry to 
sign his petition in his own handwriting ; 
but if the Lodge conferring the degrees 
decide the qualification unnecessary, the 
applicant cannot be refused. Having 
been dimitted, and in good faith seeking 
to affiliate again, his petition should be 
received. 1878. 

2. A dimit, without the petitioner 
being vouched for, or proving himself a 
Master Mason by examination, is not 
sufficient lawful information to justify the 
reception of his petition for membership 
by the Lodge. 

See Fees 5. 1878. 

3. A brother presenting his diploma 
from a Lodge of another State under 
whose law the conferring of the degrees 
did not ipso facto make him a member, 



85 



if found worthy, may affiliate with a 
Lodge in this State by presenting his di- 
ploma with his petition. I 874- 

3. a. A Lodge cannot entertain the 
petition of a brother for membership un- 
accompanied by a dimit, or some other 
documentary evidence, showing his re- 
lease from membership in his former 
Lodge, and the action of the Lodge in 
so receiving the petition and electing the 
brother to membership is null and void. 
The brother remains a member of his 
former Lodge, and may take a dimit 
therefrom and petition another Lodge for 
membership. J 879. 

4. In view of the conflict between 
the law of the Grand Lodge of New 
York and our own law, relative to dimits 
and affiliation, the certificate of the Sec- 
retary of New York Lodge, stating that 
the petitioner is a member of good stand- 
ing, and that dimit will be issued on no- 
tice of the petition being received — dim- 
it to be sent to the Lodge before the bal- 
lot is taken — is "documentary evidence 
of the good standing of the applicant.' ' 

1876. Art. xvi. §8. 

5. A party holding a dimit from a 
Lodge in Ireland, should procure the 
certificate from the Grand Lodge of Ire- 
land, under seal, to the effect that the 



86 



Lodge he hails from is a regular Lodge 
under its jurisdiction, before the same 
can be accepted by our Lodges. 1873. 
See Objections 1 to 6. 

5. a. The dimit of a petitioner who 
is elected a member of a Lodge is the 
property of the Lodge, and must remain 
in its custody. x 879. 

6. Petitions for membership must lie 
over from one regular stated monthly 
meeting to another, and a report from 
the Committee of Inquiry be had thereon 
before final action. 

1839. A ft * xvl - §4* 

7. A ballot cannot be had on a peti- 
tion for membership until a majority of 
the Committee have reported. 1874. 

8. A petition for membership, receiv- 
ed and referred, is the property of the 
Lodge, and must be disposed of by bal- 
lot. The Committee must make a defi- 
nite report, in order to arrive at a ballot. 
If the Committee cannot satisfy them- 
selves, after due inquiry, they should 
give the Lodge the benefit of the doubt 
in their minds in a report, that the mem- 
bers may govern themselves accordingly. 

1872. 
See Com. of Inv. 4. 
Ballots 7. 
Tyler 1. 



8 7 

g. When charges intervene after the 
reception and reference of a petition for 
affiliation, it is illegal for the Lodge to 
receive a report upon such petition, or 
allow a ballot to be taken thereon, until 
the charges have been finally disposed of 
by the Lodge. 1877. 

10. The possession of a dimit less 
than twelve months old, does not exempt 
the applicant from the chances of the 
ballot. 

Nor can the member casting the black- 
ball be compelled to prefer charges 
against the applicant. 1878. 

11. A Lodge has the right to reject 
the petition of a Master Mason for mem- 
bership, without preferring charges 
against him or giving a reason therefor. 

1873. 

12. When an application for member- 
ship is rejected, it may be renewed by a 
new petition, in regular form, at the 
same or any subsequent stated meeting, 
and a Committee of Investigation must 
be appointed, as if the petition had not 
been previously before the Lodge. 

1872. 

13. A petitioner for the Mysteries or 
for advancement under a waiver of juris- 
diction, must petition as a non-affiliate ; 



88 



an Investigating Committee takes charge 
of the case, reports, and a ballot is ta- 
ken — all done in the regular form of dis- 
posing of the petition of a Master Ma- 
son. 187 1. 
See Non-Affiliates. 

Restraint on Affiliation. 

See By-Laws 8. 

Petition for Restoration. 

See Restoration 3. 4. 

Physical Disqualification. 

1. Physical disqualifications may oc- 
cur at any time after initiation and before 
the reception of the third degree, and 
prove a bar to further advancement. 

m l8 79- 

2. A brother who has received the 
Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft 
degrees, and then loses his right hand, 
cannot receive the Master's degree. 

1879. 
See Pet. for Mys. 5 to 7. 

Physicians. 

See Trials 15. 



8 9 

Plea. 

See Trials 50. 

Politics and Religion. 

See Religion and Politics. 

Postponement. 

See Ballots 6. 7. 
Trials 31 to 36. 

Presiding Officer. 

See D. D. G. M. 3. 
Dist. Lect. 4. 
Past Masters 2. 
Worsh. Mast. 6 to 13. 

Proceedings. 

See Gr. Lodge 4. 
Trials 70. 

Processions. 

1. No Subordinate Lodge shall be 
permitted to appear in public procession 
except upon strictly Masonic occasions, 
when they may appear without any dis- 
pensation for that purpose . Celebrations 
of St. John's day — 24th of June and 
the 27th of December — are "Masonic 



9 o 

occasions." 1871. 

See Funerals 1. 2. 3. 5. 

2. No business that the law requires 
to be done at a stated communication of 
the Lodge can be transacted on St. 
John's day, unless the stated meeting of 
the Lodge should happen to fall upon 
that day. St. John's days are Masonic 
holidays, but they do not affect or set 
aside the By-Laws of a Lodge. 1873. 

3. It is contrary to Masonic policy, 
as well as law, to allow a Lodge of 
Grangers to unite w T ith a Masonic Lodge 
and participate in the exercises of the 
24th of June. iS74. 

See Ins. of Off. 1. 



Profanes, 

See Trials 3. 40. 

Proficiency, 

Of Candidate. 

See E. A. and F. C. 4. 

Juris. 17. 

Pet. for Mys. 23. 24. 26. 
Of Officers of new Lodges. 
See Lodges U. D. 3. 



9 I 

Proxies. 

See Gr. Lodge Off. 3. 
Lodge Off. 6. 

Punishment. 

See Trials 57 to 61. 

Quorum. 

See Lodges 6. 7. 
Lodge Off. 9. 
Tyler 1. 

Rebuke. 

See Trials 61. 

Reception and Reference of Petition. 

See Pet. for Mys. 12. Objection 7. 
Pet. for Aff. 8. 9. 12. 

Recess. 

See Trials 28. 

Recommendations. 

See Lodges U. D. 1. 

Recommenders' Names. 
See Pet. for Mys. 2. 



9 2 

Reconsideration. 

See Dues 6. 



Record. 

See Dimits 8. 

Ins. of Off. 2. 
Lodges U. D. 4. 5. 
Minutes 4. 
Objections 4. 
Pet. for Mys. 2. 10. 

Relief. 

See Board of Relief. 

Religion and Politics. 

1. In a Lodge of Masons politics 
should never enter ; nor should other se- 
cret societies be condemned. 

1856. Art. xvi. §24. 

See Funerals 1. 

Remanded. 

See Trials 71. 

Remission of Dues. 

See Dues 4 to 9. 



93 

Removal. 

See Juris. 

Lodge Off. 
Non-Aff. 
Pet. for Mys. 

Removal of Lodge. 

See Juris. 2. 
Lodges ii. 

Removal of Petitioner. 

See Juris. 9. 

Pet. for Mys. 9. 

Reports. 

See Com. of Inv. 
Objections 7. 

Reprimand. 

See Trials 56. 60. 61. 

Request. 

See Juris. 7. 11. 14. 
Membership 1. 

Resident Membership. 

See Votes 1. 



94 

Residence. 

See D. D. G. M. i. 
Juris 3. a. 5. 
Pet. for Mys. 8 to 10. 

Resignation. 

See D. D. G. M. 1. 2. 
Dispensations 1. 
Lodge Off. 4. 6. 11. 

Restoration. 

1. It is not necessary to have the con- 
sent of the Grand Lodge to restore a 
suspended or expelled Mason, even 
though the suspension or expulsion has 
been reported to the Grand Lodge, ex- 
cept the case has been appealed. 

1873. 1874. 

2. Where no appeal has been taken 
from the action of the Lodge in expell- 
ing a member, it is competent for the 
Lodge, upon petition, to re-instate the 
expelled Mason ; the petition shall lie 
over for one month, to a stated meeting, 
and the members be duly notified. The 
vote thereon to be taken by ballot, and 
said petition adopted by a unanimous 
vote. 1871. 1878. 

3. A Lodge may act upon a petition 
for restoration without its reference to a 



95 

committee after due notice given to the 
membership ; but if a considerable time 
has elapsed since the expulsion or sus- 
pension of the applicant, the reference 
of the petition to a committee is recom- 
mended. 1878. 

4. A Lodge having suspended a 
member of another Lodge, and duly no- 
tified said Lodge of the suspension, has 
the right of acting upon the petition of 
said suspended Mason for restoration, 
and is only required to notify his Lodge 
of the result of its action on the applica- 
tion for restoration. 1878. 

5. It requires a two-thirds vote to re- 
store a suspended Mason, and a two- 
thirds vote restores an expelled Mason 
to good Masonic standing, but an unani- 
mous vote is necessary to restore an ex- 
pelled Mason to Lodge membership. 

1878. 

6. An expelled Mason, restored to 
Masonic life and standing by proper au- 
thority, may petition for membership any 
Lodge under whose jurisdiction he may 
reside, without regard to where he held 
membership before expulsion. 1868. 

7. There are three modes of "restor- 
ation" by the Grand Lodge : 

First — When a member is expelled, 



9 6 

and appeals to the Grand Lodge, and the 
Grand Lodge orders a new trial, the 
member is ipso facto "restored to mem- 
bership" under charges, as he was before 
the trial took place. 

Second — When an expelled member 
appeals to the Grand Lodge on account 
of irregularity in the trial, or that there 
was no such trial as contemplated by the 
law, and the Grand Lodge decides the 
trial null and void, the Mason is "restor- 
ed to membership," as though no trial 
had ever taken place. 

Third — When an expelled member ap- 
peals to the Grand Lodge for a mitiga- 
tion of sentence, on the ground of refor- 
mation, or too great severity of sentence, 
or any other form of appeal for mercy, 
the Grand Lodge may restore him to 
"good Masonic standing," and a certifi- 
cate to that effect is issued to him by the 
Grand Secretary, upon which he may 
apply to his old Lodge, or to any other 
Lodge, for membership, as in case of 
non-affiliates. 

8. To effect the restoration of an ex- 
pelled Mason, where no appeal is pend- 
ing, the following proceeding is neces- 
sary : He should petition the Lodge 
from which he was expelled (if in exist- 



97 

ence) for restoration. His petition 
should lie over one month and the mem- 
bers be duly notified. At the communi- 
cation which the members have been no- 
tified to attend, a vote by ballot should 
be taken. If the vote in favor of restor- 
ing the petitioner be unanimous, he is 
thereby restored to good Masonic stand- 
ing and to membership in the Lodge 
without any action on the part of the 
Grand Lodge. If it be not unanimous, 
but two-thirds or more favor restoration, 
he is restored to good Masonic standing, 
and no petition to the Grand Lodge is 
necessary, as that body could not restore 
him to membership. But if the vote for 
restoration be less than two-thirds of 
those present, then he may petition the 
Grand Lodge, setting out in his petition 
the action of the Lodge, etc. If the 
Lodge that expelled him be not in exist- 
ence, then he may petition the Grand 
Lodge originally, but should accompany 
4iis petition with a recommendation from 
the Lodge in whose jurisdiction he re- 
sides. !879. 

Restoration of Charter. 

See Status 6. 

Restraint on Affiliation. 

See By-Laws 8. 



9? 

Returns. 

i. There shall be furnished to each 
Lodge duplicate blanks for Annual re- 
turns, one to be returned to the Grand 
Secretary, and the other to be similarly 
filled out and filed in the Subordinate 
Lodge archives. x 873. 

Reversals. 

See Trials 71. 72. 

Rights and Privilege. 

Of Masons : 
See Funerals 4. 

Non-Aff. 3 to 8. 

.Status 1. 5. 

Trials 10. 
Of Lodges : 
See Lodges 2. 

Right of Trial. 

See Dimits 5. 12. 13. 

Right of Objection. 

See Objections. 

Second Ballot. 

See Ballots 3. 4. 5. 



99 

Secretary. 

See Pet. for Mys. u. 14. 
Trials 65. 

Secret Societies. 

See Religion and Politics. 

Senior Warden. 

See G. L. Off. 4. 
Trials 17. 
Worsh. Mast. 1 to 4. 6 to 11. 

Separate Trials. 

See Trials 51 to 53. 

Service of Summons and Notice. 

See Trials 22. 23. 

Sick. 

See Trials 15. 

Signing. 

See Lodges U. D. 2. 
Pet. for Mys. 1. 
Pet. for Aff. 1. 

Soliciting Candidates. 

1. Every attempt or inducement by 



members of the Fraternity to add to our 
members by soliciting candidates for the 
Mysteries of Free Masonry is condemn- 
ed, and charges should be preferred 
against all Masons so offending. 1870. 

Societies. 

See Funerals 1. 
Processions 3. 
Religion and Politics. 

Sovereignty. 

See Gr. Lodge 1. 

Special Meetings, 

See Dimits 7. 

Pet. for Mys. 22. 
Trials 34. 

Specifications, 

See Trials 20. 

Stated Meeting's. 

See E. A. and F. C. 3. 
Pet. for Aff. 12. 

Processions 2. 
Restoration 2. 
Trials 34. 



Status. 

1. A citizen of this State regularly 
made a Mason in another State, the local 
law of which established his right of 
citizenship therein at the time, is entitled 
to Masonic recognition in this State. 

187 1. Art. xvi. §15. 
See Clandestine Masons 2. 6. 

2. The status of a Master Mason un- 
der charges is not affected by such 
charges, except that he cannot dimit. 

1874. 

3. A member having been expelled 
by his Lodge, appealed to the Grand 
Lodge, where the judgment was reversed 
and a new trial ordered : Decided ', that 
his status was that of a Master Mason 
undercharges, and that the Master of his 
Lodge must proceed to give him a new 
trial according to law. I ^73. 

See Trials 63. 64. 

4. A Mason who has been suspended 
or expelled by his Lodge stands suspend- 
ed or expelled until the Grand Lodge 
reverses the decision, places him in good 
Masonic standing, or sends the case 
back to the Lodge for a new trial. 

1873. 

5. The action of the Grand Lodge 



102 

declaring all the proceedings in the trial 
of an expelled Mason null and void, re- 
stores the brother to all of his Masonic 
rights, as though no proceedings had ta- 
ken place. The Grand Lodge simply 
decides there has been no Masonic trial, 
and there can be no curtailment of rights. 

1878. 

6. The restoration of a surrendered 
charter revives the Lodge in its full mem- 
bership ; in other words, its membership 
consists of all its former members in 
good standing, not dimitted by the Grand 
Lodge during the suspension. Under 
the restoration of an arrested charter, all 
the members are restored save such as 
may be excepted by the Grand Lodge. 

1872. 

7. An expelled Mason, restored to 
Masonic life and standing by proper au- 
thority, may petition for membership any 
Lodge under whose jurisdiction he may 
reside, without regard to where he held 
membership before expulsion. 1868. 

SeeE. A. and F. C. 6. 

St. Jolins 9 Bays. 
See Lodge Off. 3. 
Processions 1. 3. 

Suits, 

See Lodges 12. 



103 
Summons. 

See Trials 23. 28. 30. a. 
Worsh. Mast. 15. 16. 

Surrender of Charter, 

See Dimits 16. 17. 
G. Mast. 1. 
Status 6. 

Suspension. 

See Dues 13. 

Dimits 11. a. 
Objections 9. 
Restoration 1 to 5. 
Trials 56- to 59. 70. 72. 

Tax. 

See Dues 3. 

Territory. 

See Juris. 1 to 4. 

Tests. 

See Work 2. 

Third Ballot. 

See Ballots 4. 8. 



104 

Time. 

See Pet. for Mys. 16. 
Pet. for Aff. 10. 

Transfer of Work. 

See Juris, n to 17. 

Trials. 
Penal Jurisdiction and Venue: 

1. It is competent for a Lodge to try 
its members, irrespective of any legal 
proceedings that may at the time be 
pending. 1870. 

2. A Lodge can try a member for un- 
Masonic conduct, which occurred while 
he was Master of the Lodge, after his 
term of office expires. 1876. 

3. A Lodge has no right to try a man 
who is not a Mason; where, therefore 
one who claims to be a Mason, who fur- 
nishes no voucher and refuses to submit 
to an examination, is guilty of immoral 
conduct, he should be regarded as a pro- 
fane. 1873. 

Venue : 

4. An affiliated Mason is subject first 
to the penal jurisdiction of the Lodge of 
which he is a member ; but his own 
Lodge does not have exclusive jurisdic- 



J °5 

tion. If it fails or refuses to take cog- 
nizance of the case, any other Lodge 
may investigate and try it, and his own 
Lodge is bound by the verdict. 1872. 

5. A non-affiliated Mason is first sub- 
ject to the penal jurisdiction of the 
Lodge under whose jurisdiction he re- 
sides ; but in order to secure the ends of 
justice the case may be tried by any 
Lodge in possession of the facts. 1873. 

6. But the Lodge which has jurisdic- 
tion over the place where a Masonic of- 
fender resides is the body to which 
charges must be preferred. 1850. 

See Juris. 16. 
Non-Aff. 2. 

7. In case of an affiliated offender 
residing outside the local jurisdiction of 
his Lodge, it is proper for the Lodge un- 
der whose jurisdiction he resides to 
bring charges and notify the Lodge own- 
ing the member, which has the privilege 
of trying the case. If it fail to act, or 
request the other Lodge in possession of 
the facts to try the case, it may legiti- 
mately do so, and should report to the 
other, and the verdict will be binding. 

1872. 

8. A Lodge may try a member of a 
Lodge of another Grand Jurisdiction up- 



io6 

on consulting with his Lodge as to pre- 
liminaries. 1872. 

9. No change of venue can be had in 
a Masonic trial — the only remedy of the 
accused being appeal to the the Grand 
Lodge. 1869. 1876. 

Right to Trial: 

10. % A member cannot be deprived of 
his Masonic privileges without a fair 
trial. It is unmasonic and unlawful to 
deny a member Masonic privileges even 
when he becomes a burden. 1867. 1876. 

See Dimits 5. 12. 13. 
For what Offenses: 

11. A Mason cannot be tried for of- 
fenses committed bejore he applied for 
the Mysteries of Masonry. If, however, 
he fraudulently withheld from the Lodge, 
or the Committee of Inquiry, matters that 
would, if known, have resulted in his re- 
jection at the time, he has received his 
degrees through fraud and imposition, 
and for this offense he may be subjected 
to Masonic discipline ; because from the 
date of his filing his -petition the Lodge 
has jurisdiction of him, and, if he re- 
ceives the degrees, the Lodge can go 
back to the date of his application and 
punish him for acts of omission as well 
as commission, and if he omitted to put 



107 

the Lodge in possession of a fact that 
showed him to be a man who did not 
"bear the tongue of good report," he 
may be dealHwith for the same. 1870. 

12. A Lodge appointed a committee 
to examine into the state of its hall build- 
ing, it being considered as about ready to 
fall down. The committee reported the 
building as "utterly unsafe." Subse- 
quently the members were summoned to 
attend a trial, and some of them refused 
to visit the Lodge at all while it met in 
that hall, either voluntarily or on sum- 
mons. Acts of discipline were instituted 
against those who so refused. Under 
these circumstances the injustice of trial 
and punishment for unmasonic conduct 
is evident, and the proceedings were rul- 
ed irregular. 1871. 

13. The laws of Masonry are not 
construed with hair-splitting technicali- 
ties, but are executed and construed with 
a view of doing substantial justice be- 
tween Masons and protecting them in 
their rights. J ^73- 

14. Two brethren belonging to the 
same Lodge have a difficulty which, by 
its expression and notoriety, brings 
scandal upon the fraternity at large, al- 
though they subsequently become recon- 



io8 

ciled and meet as brethren should meet 
in the Lodge, yet they still owe explana- 
tion or apology to the Lodge. They 
have violated its rules an^ the general 
laws of the brotherhood. The Lodge 
should take cognizance of the facts which 
subject them to its discipline. A recon- 
ciliation should take place within the 
Lodge, and explanations should be made 
which would be satisfactory to the 
brethren. 1871. 

15. A physician and a Mason who re- 
fused to take care of the sick brethren 
of his Lodge cannot be held subject to 
Masonic discipline for the refusal. 

1871. 

16. A member who procures a dimit 
for the purpose of joining another Lodge, 
cannot be tried for non-affiliation, unless 
fraud in such application for dimit can 
be proven. 1871. 

Who may -prefer charges: 

17. It is the duty of the Wardens to 
prefer charges for unmasonic conduct — 
the Junior Warden for acts committed 
whilst at refreshment, and the Senior 
Warden for acts committed during labor ; 
but it is also the right of an individual 
Mason to prefer charges against another 
Mason for unmasonic conduct. 1870. 



109 

18. A member under charges cannot 
bring charges against another member. 
He may get some other brother to bring 
them, and may be a witness to the case 
before his own suspension or expulsion 
in the Lodge and afterwards by deposi- 
tion. 187 1. 

When to be -preferred: 

19. The charges .having been prefer- 
red at a stated meeting of the Lodge, the 
trial may be held at a called communi- 
cation for that purpose. 1871. 

What they should be: 

20. Charges should be definite, so as 
to allow the accused the opportunity to 
defend specifically ; yet there are cases 
that do not require specifications of time 
and place. 1869. Art. xviii. §1. 2d. 

21. In case of the loss of the original 
charges and specifications a copy of the 
same as entered on the Records, attested 
by the Secretary, shall suffice for the 
purposes of a trial. 1875. 

The Summons and Notice of Trial, 

Copy of Charges, etc: 

22. The delivery of a notice for a 
brother under charges, to his wife, is not 
due and legal notice of the time of trial. 

1871. 



23. There can be no constructive ser- 
vice of a summons. The service of a 
Masonic summons should be actual. 

1873- 

If a brother should be tried and 
expelled for disobedience of a summons 
that had never been served upon him, 
and concerning which he had no actual 
knowledge, such action would be null 
and void. Our law provides for the con- 
structive service of a notice ; but there 
is a vast difference between a summons 
and a notice. 

1873. Art. xviii. §1. 24. 25. 

24. A suspended Mason on trial 
should have a copy of the charges duly 
served upon him, and may be represent- 
ed by counsel and witnesses for his de- 
fense, but he cannot be admitted into the 
Lodge. 1871. 

25. A brother under charges, while 
in prison, should have a copy of the 
charges, and be represented by counsel 
and tried ex -parte. ,1871. 

26. A brother under charges for N. 
P. D., who in the meantime pays up, is 
released from the charges, and excused 
for appearance under them. 187 1. 

See Dimits 11. a. 



27. The payment disposes of the 
charges. 1872. 

28. A summons by the Master of a 
Lodge is legal, ordered either at the ses- 
sion of the Lodge or during its recess. 

1872. 

See Worsh. Mast. 15. 16. 

29. Relative to section 24, article 
xviii, Grand Lodge By-Laws, said sec- 
tion was not intended to be so construed 
that a member should be excelled without 
trial, but that he is entitled to a trial, and 
may be expelled. 1869. 

30. It is the duty of the Master of 
a Ledge to notify every resident member 
of his Lodge to attend the trial of a 
brother. 1870. 

30. a. A summons in writing in reg- 
ular form, with the signature of the 
Worshipful Master and Secretary, with 
the seal of the Lodge attached, with the 
names of the members to be served, be- 
neath, served by the Secretary in person, 
and read and signed by each member, is 
a legal summons. 1881. 

Post-pon ement : 

31. The Lodge may postpone a trial 
at request of accused, or on its own mo- 
tion. 1870. 



32. But the postponement can be 
made only in open Lodge at the meeting 
set for the hearing of the case and then 
only if the Master be convinced that the 
trial should be postponed, either in the 
interest of the accused or of the Lodge ; 
and this he may do without submitting 
the question to the vote of the Lodge. 

1878. 

When to Proceed: 

33. Charges brought regularly and in 
due form before a Lodge cannot be with- 
drawn without atrial, except some palpa- 
ble error has been committed in regard 
to the identity of the accused or the fact 
of the offense, of which error the Mas- 
ter shall be the judge, and in such a case 
the charges may be dismissed by a two- 
thirds vote. 1872. 

34. A trial may take place at either a 
stated or called communication, so that 
the meeting has been set apart for the 
purpose. Art. xviii. §1. 2d. 

35. All the preliminaries being regu- 
lar, a trial may take place in the absence 
of both the accused and the accuser, or 
principal witness, provided witnesses be 
present to develop the facts and merits 
of the case by proper evidence. Ibid. 



"3 

Rights of the Accused: 

36. At a meeting set for trial, if the 
accused be absent, the Master has the 
right, and it is his duty, to appoint some 
brother to represent the accused, as coun- 
sel. If a postponement should be deem- 
ed expedient from any cause, either in 
the interest of the accused or the Lodge, 
it must be granted, and the time agreed 
upon between the accused or his repre- 
sentative and the Lodge ; and, in such a 
case, the accused may waive lawful no- 
tice, the mutual agreement between him 
and the Lodge being sufficient. If the 
accused insists upon going into trial at 
once, and the Lodge is not ready, the 
Master must exercise his right to post- 
pone ; and, in this case, lawful notice 
must be given to the accused, as in the 
first instance. The Master then sets the 
time of trial in accordance with the law. 

1872. Art. xviii. §1. 3d. 

See Worsh. Mast. 12. 

37. At a Masonic trial, all the facts, 
circumstances and surroundings of the 
case should be evolved— nothing sup- 
pressed, nothing magnified or distorted 
by quibble or special pleading, but all 
fair, open and Masonic. 1872. 



114 

38. At a trial no new charges or spec- 
ifications can be introduced. 1871. 

39. Except when a case has been in 
general terms, remanded to the Lodge by 
the Grand Lodge for a new trial ; then it 
is competent at the trial to introduce new 
charges and new evidence, and, in fact, 
make it an entirely new case. 1872. 

40. A member who is on trial cannot 
employ a profane as counsel to try his 
case- 1876. 

41. A trial having been commenced, 
may be continued from time to time un- 
til it is concluded. The minutes must 
show the progress of the trial at the suc- 
cessive called communications. A trial 
must be commenced at the communica- 
tion for which it is set, or the accused 
may rightfully claim the notification pre- 
scribed by law. He may, however, 
waive such notice, and agree to a post- 
ponement for convenience. 1872. 

Witnesses. Evidence. 

42. A notice from a United States at- 
torney to witnesses not to testify in a 
Masonic trial, until after trial in court, is 
a nullity, and furnishes no excuse for a 
witness refusing to testify. A civil offi- 
cer, as such, has no jurisdiction over a 



n5 

Mason in the performance of his Mason- 
ic duties. !874- 1875. 

43. The record of a criminal court, 
showing indictment, conviction and sen- 
tence of the accused for the same offence 
for which he is being tried by the Lodge 
is legal and competent evidence. 1877. 

44. The disability imposed by sub- 
division eight, section one, article eigh- 
teen, Constitution 1875, upon persons con- 
victed of any infamous crime, is remov- 
ed by pardon, unless expressly excepted 
by the terms of the pardon, and such 
restored persons are competent witnesses 
under our law. 

1877. Art. xviii. §1. 8th. 

45. In a Masonic trial, a Mason's 
wife is a competent witness for or against 
him. Her relation to the accused may 
affect her credibility, not her compe- 
tency, as a witness. x 874. Art. 
xviii. §1. 8th. 

Committee to take Testimony ; 

46. A committee to take the evi- 
dence of profanes, is right and proper, but 
members of the fraternity should be re- 
quired to give their evidence in the 
Lodge, and not before committees. 

1871. Art. xviii. §1. 9th. 

47. The accused has no right to ob- 
ject to the committee appointed to take 
evidence. 1871. 



u6 

48. An accused brother should have 
reasonable notice of the time and place 
of taking testimony to be used against 
him. Ex -parte letters and statements 
of other parties written and made with- 
out notice to him, are not evidence, and 
should not be admitted on trial. 1873. 

Balloting on Charges and Specifica- 
tions : 

49. After the evidence is closed and 
the argument of counsel is concluded, 
the vote should be taken by ballot, and 
during this proceeding no discussion 
should be had. J 873- 

50. The plea of "guilty* " or "not 
guilty" cannot be asked by the Master or 
the Lodge, but the charge must be voted 
upon by the members. 

1871. Art. xviii. §1. 6th. 

51. When several members are sum- 
moned, and ask to be excused for for- 
mer disobedience of summons, the Mas- 
ter cannot excuse them altogether, but 
each must be voted on separately. 1871. 

52. When several members are ar- 
raigned for N. P. D. the ballot in the 
trial must be separate, and all those un- 
der charges must retire, as they cannot 
vote on a general question in which all of 
them are equally interested. 

1871. Art: xviii. §1. 6th. 



ii7 

53- When several members of a 
Lodge are on trial — all the charges being 
based upon the same general facts — the 
result affecting all alike, although some 
of the specifications may differ, none of 
them can be allowed to vote upon the 
question of guilt or innocence of any of 
the others, and all must retire during the 
ballots on charge and penalty. 

1878. Art. xviii. §1. 6th. 

54. In all trials, paper ballots shall be 
used instead of balls and the decision of 
the voting member shall be written there- 
on as to guilt or punishment, and those 
ballots upon which nothing is written 
shall not be counted. 

1869. Art. xviii. §1. 7th. 

55. A Lodge had a trial, at which 
eighteen voted "guilty," eight "not guil- 
ty," and two tickets were blank, there 
being twenty-eight members present and 
twenty-eight votes cast, counting the 
blanks, which was done, and the accused 
declared "not guilty" as the result, so 
computed, lacked a fraction of the re- 
quired two-thirds vote to convict. Held: 
error, and that the accused had been 
found guilty under the explicit terms of 
our law. - 1872. 

Ballot on Punishment : 

56. After the parties have been found 



n8 

guilty by a two-thirds vote of all the 
members present, the question shall then 
be put first, on Expulsion, then on Sus- 
pension, and then on Reprimand ; when 
Suspension shall have been adopted by a 
two-thirds vote, the time shall be deter- 
mined by voting on the longest period, 
and so on down until some period shall 
be adopted. 1872. Art. xviii. §1. 7th. 

57. It requires the same vote to assess 
punishment by the Lodge that is neces- 
sary to pronounce guilt, except in case of 
Reprimand, when only a majority vote is 
necessary. 1867. Art. xviii. §1. nth. 

See Tyler 1. 

58. When a Lodge suspends a broth- 
er, the time for which he stands suspend- 
ed shall be defined. 

1850. Art. xviii. §1. nth. 

59. "Suspension until dues are paid" 
is a definite suspension. 

1871. Art. xviii. §1. 10th. 

60. Our law does not recognize "rep- 
rimand" as a punishment for non-pay- 
ment of dues. If a brother is found 
guilty, remission of dues or suspension 
is the only alternative. T 874. 

61. The Master may rebuke a mem- 
ber for disorderly conduct in the Lodge, 



II 9 

but he cannot reprimand for offenses ex- 
cept as provided in Article 18 of the By- 
Laws. I 874- Art. xviii. §i. 10th. 

62. The verdict cannot be set aside 
at any time for any cause by the Master, 
or even by unanimous vote of the Lodge, 
unless so ordered by the Grand Master 
or Grand Lodge. 1871. 1875. 

62. a. A vote on a secret ballot can- 
not be reconsidered. 1880. 

63. After a Mason has been tried 
and fully acquitted by his Lodge, his 
standing and rights in Masonry are un- 
impaired, notwithstanding a brother may 
have taken an appeal in the case to the 
Grand Lodge. 1870. 

64. The status of a Master Mason 
under charges is not affected by such 
charges, except that he cannot dimit. He 
is presumed innocent until his guilt is 
proven. 1874 • 

Affeals : 

65. Secretaries of all the Subordinate 
Lodges should forward immediately af- 
ter trials to the Grand Secretary a full 
and complete transcript of all the pro- 
ceedings had in trials, charges, specifi- 
cations, the evidence, number of mem- 
bers present, the vote upon guilt and up- 



on punishment, so that the Committee of 
Grievance of the Grand Lodge may ful- 
ly and fairly have all the facts before 
them to make the report, that justice 
may be done not only to the appellant 
but to the Lodge and to the entire Fra- 
ternity. 

1872. Art. xviii. §1. 16th. 

66. In all cases of appeals, the re- 
cords of such trials and appeals shall 
be forwarded to the Grand Secretary at 
least one month before each Annual 
Communication of the Grand Lodge. 

1869. Art. xviii. §1. 16. 

67. An appeal must be taken within 
thirty days from the trial, and not after- 
wards. This applies to new trials had 
under the order of the Grand Lodge, as 
well as to original trials. 

1873. Art. xviii. §1. 15th. 

68. When the printed Proceedings 
show that a new trial has been ordered, 
it is the duty of the Master of the par- 
ticular Lodge to obey such order. 

1873- 

69. It is the duty of the Grand Mas- 
ter to protect and defend the execution 
of the laws ; and if, in his judgment, the 
established law of the Grand Lodge has 
been violated, and great injustice done 



thereby, it is his duty to have the matter 
corrected by a new trial ; but where it is 
a question only of opinion as to the 
guilt or innocence of the party, by the 
evidence, it is not in the power of the 
Grand Master to set aside the verdict, or 
to order a trial until it has been reported 
to and acted upon in Grand Lodge. 
See Gr. Mast. 3. 

70. No public announcement of sus- 
pensions or expulsions shall be made un- 
til they are duly authorized by their ap- 
pearance in the printed proceedings of 
the Grand Lodge. 1871. 

71. The act of the suspension or ex- 
pulsion cannot be considered as complete 
until it becomes a part of the record of 
the Grand Lodge, because it may, under 
certain conditions, be remanded to the 
Subordinate Lodge or reversed. 1871. 

72. All reversals by Grand Lodge of 
verdicts of suspension restore to member- 
ship, without such restoration being act- 
ually expressed. 1872. 

See Status 5. 

Tyler. 

1. The Tyler shall, by his presence 
in his place, assist in forming a quorum. 
He has the privilege of voting on peti- 



tions for the degrees or membership, and 
also at trials ; but, upon any of these de- 
liberative or judicial acts, at his request, 
he shall be excused by the Master from 
voting, on the ground that he is not pres- 
ent "during the proceedings," and his 
failure to vote on any question shall not 

VITIATE THE RESULT. Art. XVi. §12. 

See Votes i. 

Unanimous Consent. 

See Juris. 12. 13. 

Restoration 2. 5. 

"Unfavorable." 

See Com. of Inv. 4. 

Vacancy. 

See Dist. Lect. 2. 
Lodge Off. 4. 10. 

Venue. 

See Trials 5. 

Verdict. 

See Non-Aff. 1. 

Trials 4. 7. 56 to 62. 

Visitation. 

1. No permanent record of objection 



123 

can be made by a member of a Lodge 
against a member of another Lodge be- 
ing received as a visitor. This does not 
deny the right of any brother personally 
objecting, providing he is present in the 
Lodge, to the admission of a visitor. 

1871. 

2. If the objecting brother be not 
present in his Lodge, and the other be a 
Mason in good standing, his admission 
cannot produce discord, and his exclu- 
sion by a protest, recorded in the min- 
utes, would curtail his rights as a mem- 
ber of our universal brotherhood. 

• 1871. 

3. One member of a Lodge cannot 
object to another member of the same 
Lodge. 1871. 

4. A visiting brother, after he has 
taken the test oath, has the right to 
call for and see the Charter under which 
the Lodge works. 1875. 

See Non-Aff . 4. 

Votes. 

1. Where the law requires that resi- 
dent members shall be notified to attend 
any communication of a Lodge, the Ty- 
ler, or brother specially appointed for 
that purpose, shall make return that he 



124 

has faithfully and impartially endeavored 
to serve such notice on every member of 
the Lodge accessible to him, and on such 
return having been made (naming the 
members served) a vote of two-thirds of 
the members present at such communica- 
tion favoring any action of the Lodge 
requiring a majority of two-thirds, shall 
be sufficient to meet the requirements of 
the law concerning resident membership. 

1875. 

See Ballots 8. a. 

Dist. Lect. 1. Lodges 11. 
Dues 6. Pet. for Mys. 24. 

Gr. Lodge 2. Restoration 2. 5. 
Gr. L. Off. 3. 
Trials 49 to 57. 62. a. 65. 
Tyler 1. 

Voucher. 

See Pet. for Aff. 2. Trials 3. 
Work 3. 

Waiver of Jurisdiction. 

See E. A. and F. C. 5. 6. 
Juris. 4 to 7. 
Pet. for Mys. 17. 

Waiver of Notice. 

See Trials 36. 



125 

Wardens 

See Gr. L. Off. 4. 

Trials 11. 

Worsh. Mast. 1 to 4. 6 to 11. 

Widows. 

1. It is first the duty of the Lodge of 
which her husband was a member, to re- 
lieve his widow's necessities, if it be able 
to do so ; if not, or if it decline the charge, 
it is the imperative duty of the Lodge 
under whose jurisdiction she resides to 
honor her widow's certificate and see 
that she does not lack for the necessaries 
of life. . 1872. 

2. Subordinate Lodges are required 
to give to the widows of all deceased 
worthy brother Master Masons, in the 
several jurisdictions of said Lodges, a 
certificate of the former membership and 
good standing of their deceased hus- 
bands, which said certificate shall be 
signed by the Master and Wardens, and 
attested by the Secretary of said several 
Lodges, under their seals ; and that uni- 
formity may be obtained in said certifi- 
cates, the following shall be the form, the 
blanks being properly filled, to-wit : 



126 



■ Lodge No. — , 



Held at , in the County of- 

in the State of Missouri. ) 

To all regular Masons whither so eve 
dispersed : 

Know ye, that Mrs. is the widov 

of our well-beloved brother , wh< 

was late a member of said Lodg< 

No. — , and that we commend her, tru 

said Mrs. , to your Masonic can 

and protection. 

Given under our hands and seal of saic 
Lodge, this day of 



-, W. M 

[seal.] *' , S. W 

Attest: , J. W 

, Sec'y. 1845. 

3. The widow of a Master Masor 
marrying a profane, loses thereby al 
claims upon the Fraternity, and a decree 
of divorce from her second husband can- 
not restore her Masonic privileges. 

1875- 

4. While a Mason or a Lodge maj 
very properly contribute to the relief oi 
any person in distress, there is no Mason- 
ic obligation on either to contribute tc 
the support of a Mason's sister either 
before or after her marriage. That obli- 



127 

gation only extends to a Brother Master 
Mason, his widow and orphans. 1879. 
See Witnesses. Trials 42 to 45. 

Work. 

1. The acts of the meeting of Masons, 
without their charter present, are null 
and void, and the business and work 
should be done over again in due form. 

1872. 
See Funerals 3. 
Ins. of Off. 2. 
Lodges 4. 

2. The establishment of any new or 
different test, or rule, for the examination 
or admission of visiting or other Masons, 
besides that handed to us from distant 
ages, cannot rightfully be effected. 

1829. 

3. C. has sat in Lodge with A. and 
with B. C. may introduce Bro. A. to 
Bro. B<, stating that he vouches for him. 
After such introduction A. can vouch 
for B. for the purpose of visiting, as if 
he had sat with him in open Lodge. 
Such a voucher is equivalent to sitting in 
Lodge, as required by our law. 1872. 

The First and Second Degrees : 

4. The ceremonies of the opening of 
the first and second degrees are not farts 



128 

of the third degree, and have nothing to 
do with opening the third degree. 1869. 

5. No business can legitimately be 
transacted in these degrees other than lec- 
turing, the examination of candidates for 
advancement, or the conferring of the de- 
gree. 1839. 

6. Every degree in which Work is to 
be done by Subordinate Lodges shall be 
regularly opened with the ceremonies for 
that purpose. 1869. 

7. The whole of the Lectures apper- 
taining to any degree in Masonry should 
be given at the time of conferring the 
degree, and the omission of any of them 
is censurable. I S39- 

8. Closing on the Second Degree does 
not close the Third Degree, and in the 
case stated, (viz : Lodge opened on the 
Third Degree, and did not close) the 
Master's Lodge was left open. 1873. 

9. A Lodge cannot call a communi- 
cation off and on from one day to anoth- 
er. Every day's communication must 
be regularly opened and closed. 1872. 

See Installation of Officers 2. a. 
Lodges 3. a. 

Worshipful Master. 
1. A brother who has not been elect- 
ed and installed Warden is ineligible to 
the office of Master of a Lodge. 1870. 



129 

2. An exception to this rule has al- 
ways been recognized in favor of a new 
Lodge, and, in "extraordinary cases," 
in old Lodges. A Master Mason may be 
elected and installed Master of a new 
Lodge, although he may never have 
served as Warden of a chartered Lodge. 

1873- 

3. A Past Master of another juris- 
diction, who becomes a member of one 
of our Lodges, is eligible to the office of 
Master, without first serving as a Warden 
in this jurisdiction. 1872. 

4. No one can act as an installing of- 
ficer who has not been regularly installed 
into the office of Master of a Lodge. 
The right of installing his officers be- 
longs to the Master, and in his absence 
the Senior Warden, though for the time 
being Master, cannot act as installing 
officer unless he is an actual Past 
Master. 1877. 

5. The Master-elect of a Lodge must 
receive the degree of Past Master prior 
to his installation, as it forms part of the 
installation ceremonies, and is a prere- 
quisite to his installation as Master. 

1873. 1878. Art. viii. -§j. 
5. a. If he has been installed without 
having previously received the Past Mas- 



13° 

ter's degree, he should receive that de- 
gree and be then installed. ^Q. 

6. A Worshipful Master cannot open 
his Lodge and then leave it, without one 
of the Wardens being present to preside. 

1 87 1. Art. xvi. §19. 

7. In the absence of the Worshipful 
Master, the Senior Warden succeeds to 
his place, as presiding officer of the 
Lodge, and during such time he has all 
the powers of a Master, and can perform 
any act the Master could perform were 
he present. For the time being he is 
Master and not Senior Warden. That 
station should be filled by him by ap- 
pointment -pro tempore. I 873- 

8. He should sign the Records of 
Proceedings as "Acting Master." 

1874. 

9. In the absence of the Worshipful 
Master neither a Past Master nor a Dis- 
trict Deputy Grand Master can open a 
Lodge and confer degrees or transact 
business with the Senior Warden in the 
West. One of the three principal offi- 
cers must be in his place as Worshipful 
Master during the whole of the session. 

1874. 

10. Whichever it be he is wholly re- 
sponsible for the conduct and proce edings 



i3i 

during the session. I 874- 

ii. But it is a good and lawful 
Lodge, even if he stations a brother to 
conduct the work and the routine of bus- 
iness, while he himself is speaking for 
the Senior Warden or Senior Deacon. 
The Mason made under such an arrange- 
ment of work is regular, and the pro- 
ceedings of the Lodge are valid. 

i874- l8 75- 

12. The Worshipful Master must pre- 
side when present in the Lodge, even 
though interested in the trial of a broth- 
er in progress before the Lodge. He 
must retire if he feels a delicacy in pre- 
siding. 1874. 

See Trials 28 to 33. 36. 50. 51. 61. 

12. a. Should the Worshipful Master 
and Wardens all remove from the juris- 
diction of the Lodge, and be unable to 
attend its meetings, under our law the 
Lodge could not be opened at all, unless 
in the case of a funeral, when, with the 
charter present, it may be opened by a 
Past Master. 1879. 

13. A Past Master cannot -preside in 
a Lodge in the absence of the first three 
officers, except on funeral occasions. 

1867. 



132 

14. The Worshipful Master of a 
Lodge shall make all appointments of 
such officers as are not elected under the 
By-Laws of such Lodge. 1869. 

15. He has the right to summon ev- 
ery member of the Lodge for any pur T 
pose within the scope and business of 
Masonry at his own discretion. 1871. 

16. The willful neglect or defiance of 
a summons, no matter for what purpose 
given, must be met with proper discip- 
line. 1875. 

17. The Master is the custodian of 
the property of the Lodge. He is respon- 
sible for it, and should not allow it to be 
wasted. He not only has the right, but 
it is his solemn duty to refuse any and 
all motions for the improper use of the 
funds of the Lodge, according to his 
best judgment. 1877. 

18. He cannot appoint a committee 
of the Lodge when the Lodge is not at 
labor, except to examine visitors. 

1874. 

19. The Worshipful Master of every 
Lodge is required to order the Secretary 
to furnish to the District Deputy Grand 
Master the names of the officers of his 
Lodge at the time of the Annual Commu- 



133 

nication of the Grand Lodge, and of 
those who may be elected to serve at any 
Annual Election thereafter, with their 
post-office address. 1876. 

See Ballots 6. 8. a. 
Dispensations 1. 



L'BRARY OF CONGRESS 



J 027 292 547 1 



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